I have recently received a Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certification from the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute. Our studies focused on teaching English in an English-Only classroom using a communicative approach. In addition to planning lessons and designing activities, this class taught me many skills that will be useful in the classroom including eliciting students for information, using Context Checking Questions to ensure students understand, and using a three step approach to error correction.

Though my I still need real-world teaching experience, my TESL teachers rated my classroom teaching in my practicum very high. In addition my TESL practicum, I have experience as a math tutor for the University of Tennessee where I was required to quickly understand a student’s problem and give them concise, accurate advice. These experiences have provided me with a solid foundation for future teaching experiences.