My Learning Journal by Gokhan Doğanay

Reflections of PDC Training

doganaygokhan — 2023-11-19 17:22:39 UTC

Day 2: Today was our second day in Erzurum. The topic we covered today was Listening activities and how we improve them to make better use of them. I really enjoyed the day because my colleagues here don't have any problem finding creativite solutions for the problems.

Reflections of PDC Training

doganaygokhan — 2023-11-21 17:14:05 UTC

Day 3: One of the most prevalent challenges related to teaching speaking in my language classes is the hesitancy among students to actively engage in conversations. Many students often feel reserved or lack confidence when it comes to expressing themselves verbally in English. This reluctance may stem from various factors, such as fear of making mistakes, a sense of self-consciousness, or limited exposure to spoken English outside the classroom.

The activities we engaged in today have provided valuable insights and practical ideas that I believe can significantly contribute to addressing the challenge of students' hesitancy in speaking. The "Gallery Walk" activity, in particular, encouraged collaborative problem-solving. By analyzing common problems related to speaking in language classes and collectively brainstorming solutions, I gained a deeper understanding of potential strategies to foster a more inclusive and participatory learning environment.

Reflections of PDC Training

doganaygokhan — 2023-11-21 18:27:59 UTC

Day 4: O La La!!! Today's session delved into the nuances of teaching reading skills, and it resonated deeply with the challenges we often face in our context. One key insight that stood out is the common confusion between task types (such as gist and detail) and sub-skills (like skimming and scanning) in reading activities. In our teaching context, it's evident that many colleagues may not fully grasp these distinctions. This lack of clarity can hinder effective reading instruction. The practical takeaway here is to emphasize the importance of aligning tasks with specific sub-skills. This not only enhances our students' reading comprehension but also serves as a guide for teachers who might be uncertain about the distinctions. I believe implementing this idea could significantly benefit our colleagues, offering a practical and accessible way to improve reading instruction. The clearer understanding of task types and sub-skills has the potential to empower our teachers, making their approach to teaching reading more effective and, ultimately, fostering better learning outcomes for our students.

Reflections of PDC Training

doganaygokhan — 2023-11-23 17:13:01 UTC

Day 6: Another great and enjoyable day. For teaching grammar in language classrooms in my area guided discovery or text-based presentation can be more appropriate. It is based on learning implicitly and discovering themselves. As it is a student-centered exercise, it helps permanent and long-term learning. But choosing the best option for teaching grammar can change from teacher to teacher. In our PDC meeting, I guess my colleagues will have some hard time deciding on it, too. Therefore a debate on approaches of teaching grammar is almost inevitable. However, the most useful way of teaching is using all tools you got . So, I hope we will prioritize the well-being our teaching environments.

When it comes to teaching vocabulary, the day was full of great suggestions. First, using traditional methods is not always bad. Even without the help of technology, a creative teacher can make his/her students enjoy the vocabulary lesson. Especially while teaching new vocabulary and pronunciation 2 times yourself, 2 times all together and 1 student-1student advice was priceless. It really works indeed.

Students should write down their own examples of newly learned words. That would help them to make connection and it would be easier to remember and memorize.

Reflections of PDC Training

doganaygokhan — 2023-11-26 18:38:16 UTC

Day 7: (PDC) has proven to be a game-changer. Reflecting on the journey so far, one standout benefit stands tall – the power of collective wisdom.

In a solo teaching journey, it's easy to feel isolated or stuck in a routine. However, being part of a PDC provides a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Whether it's discussing effective teaching strategies, sharing innovative lesson plans, or simply venting about a tough day, the PDC is a hub of support.

Ultimately, the greatest benefit of our PDC is the sense of unity and growth it brings. We're not just colleagues; we're collaborators on a journey of continuous improvement. Together, we navigate the challenges, celebrate the victories, and collectively evolve as educators. The power of "we" in our PDC amplifies the impact of each "I," making the teaching experience richer, more vibrant, and undoubtedly more fulfilling.