Video Tape #1

In the first part of the video I explain what an idiom is and the importance of idioms in our language learning, in order for the students to be able to learn and engage in the acquisition of English idiomatic expressions.

In the second video, students have an activity, illustrating an English idiom by acting out in a short conversation between them.

Video Tape 1: Reflection

After seeing the video, I realized many aspects about my teaching style. This kind of assignment was an extremely valuable experience. It allowed me to capture the dynamics over my movement, bodily expressions and emotion towards the students, giving detailed description of my abilities and development. Being able to watch and listen over a video helped me, for example: to study my students ‘reactions and responses to my explanation. As well, I was able to analyze the dynamics of my classroom, how accurate I was when I was explaining the topic and therefore starting to have my own perceptions on how well I taught that class, identifying different techniques that worked out and others that were not that successful and therefore they need improvement.

However, when a friend started videotaping me, at first, I got a little nervous and anxious to do well, in other words I felt like I was in the loop, especially when your instructor and some else is watching every little detail you do. Soon after I was more comfortable with myself dealing with students and the camera.

I consider this assignment as a “trial and error” method, trying to discover and solve the possible problems, to reach for a correct solution, in order to have positive feedback on my own performances and accomplishments.

I think my strengths were having an organize class, where the students did not feel lost with my explanation, everything was well planned. Besides, the students were always paying attention of what I was saying and always respectful towards me as the instructor of the class. Also I approached to every single student to see their progress with the activity.

On the other hand, I noticed weaknesses that I never thought I had before. For example, I think my explanation was a little short. I should have extended more with basic examples of any kind of idioms before the activity started. As well, the class was a little plain, not much of dynamic; as a result some students got bored.

For future lessons I will definitely try to create a more dynamic practice class. To create motivation from a different perspective and innovative strategies using all kind of educational means to reinforce my lessons, especially with adolescents who constant need interaction, to achieve the expectancy of having interesting classes.

Positively, I think videotaping was very useful tool to improve presentation skills for next classes that I will be teaching.