Abigail Santamaria

• Language Teaching Journey

As an educator, I have developed a deep passion for teaching languages, which stems from my background in graphic design. Since my early years, I have found great joy in helping others understand English, and this interest only grew as I delved into learning the Korean language and exploring its culture.

 

After completing my major in graphic design, I was fortunate enough to seize an incredible opportunity to travel to Korea for the first time and participate in a volunteer project where we taught English to Korean students. This unexpected teaching experience was truly rewarding as I witnessed the children's progress and heard their heartfelt gratitude for learning English. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up participating in the volunteer program twice, in 2016 and 2017.

 

When I returned to my home country, I started considering working as a language teacher for the first time. I began teaching Korean to beginners at a small academy, and I also had a few English students. It was during this time that I had my very first Korean student who was learning Spanish, and that made me even more excited about the prospect of going back to Korea and teaching Koreans my mother tongue. Luckily, I found a great job at a Spanish academy in Korea in 2019, where I worked as a Spanish teacher and graphic designer for about three years.
 

I have recently completed my master's degree in TESOL at Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul. Throughout my studies, my goal has been to foster continuous growth as a teacher, always seeking opportunities to learn and improve myself. By staying dedicated to my own development, I aspire to become a supportive mentor for my students, guiding them on their language learning journey.

 

• Communicative Approach to Language Learning

I believe that it is important for students to communicate in the language naturally at all times. I encourage them to explore different expressions and even regional variations to gain a deeper understanding of how people communicate in various contexts. In the early stages, I also encourage them to not overly focus on perfect grammar. The key priority is to help them become more comfortable speaking and less afraid of using the language. To achieve this, I incorporate a variety of expressions into our lessons and provide opportunities for students to practice their vocabulary. Additionally, I emphasize that making mistakes is acceptable, as language proficiency takes time to develop, and making mistakes is a normal part of the learning process. I consider important to encourage students to speak, to communicate, and I also believe that people will try to understand what they want to communicate. My personal motto as a teacher is always to encourage communication, and in this case, more than to correctness or perfection, because there will be more opportunities after improving the grammar.  During my work performance in the Spanish academy I also learned to reflect on how a small child actually learns his native language without having the grammar explained, the most important thing is to be able to transmit his ideas and in this way he is also able to learn more, for the need to communicate.
 

• Interpretation Over Literal Translation  

In my teaching approach, I believe that rather than relying solely on memorizing rules, students should learn a language through interpretation rather than literal translation. I strive to show them multiple ways to convey the same meaning. For instance, when students inquire about how a rule should be applied, I make an effort to demonstrate alternative ways to express the same meaning or explain how the same rule may not be applicable in other situations. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of the language and enables students to be more flexible and adaptable in their language use.

 

• Balancing the Four Language Skills

I believe that maintaining a balanced approach to all four language skills is crucial for students to achieve their goals. The primary objective for most of my students is to develop their speaking abilities and comprehend spoken language. Therefore, in my classes, I prioritize activities that enhance speaking, reading, and listening skills. Writing practice is typically assigned as homework, as it allows students to engage in a task that requires more time for processing and reflection. Instead of correcting their homework individually, I prefer to review it together with the class at the beginning of our sessions. This approach encourages active participation from everyone during the correction process. Rather than solely providing feedback myself, I strive to create an environment where students can recognize their own mistakes through self-evaluation. In many instances, students are able to identify their errors on their own, allowing for a deeper understanding of their own progress and areas for improvement.

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• Exploring Learning Approaches

I believe it is important to understand the learning methods and individual needs of students. However, to avoid becoming too confined to a single approach, it is beneficial for students to explore various learning methods and not limit themselves to just one. This is why I enjoy challenging students and encouraging them to become self-directed learners.

While many teachers advocate for tailoring instruction to each student's preferred learning method, I also believe it is essential to empower students to acquire knowledge through different approaches. This allows them to have a broader range of possibilities for self-learning.

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• Guiding Students to Become Independent Learners

In my opinion, a teacher should serve as a guide, supporting students in becoming independent learners. Instead of providing all the answers right away, I prefer to prompt students to create their own utterances and then guide them in adapting their ideas to express themselves in a more natural manner. Rather than simply giving them pre-made patterns to follow, I encourage them to think about their intended meaning and guide them in structuring their thoughts accordingly. For example, when assigning relevant homework, if students come up with utterances that need improvement, I ask them to explain their intended meaning. Then, I help them organize their thoughts in a way that aligns with their intended expression, allowing them to go beyond rigid rules and accurately convey their intended message.

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• Embracing Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Learning Environment

The knowledge gained during my master's degree and the experiences I have encountered have solidified my belief in the significance of learning and teaching another language. It has highlighted the importance of catering to students with diverse cultures, within various contexts and backgrounds. Understanding effective teaching methods and how students learn is crucial in facilitating their language acquisition journey. These realizations have reinforced my dedication to imparting language skills effectively and promoting a rich and inclusive learning environment for all students.
 

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• Conclusion

My journey as an educator has ignited a profound passion for teaching languages, influenced by my background in graphic design. From my early experiences helping others understand English to my immersive teaching experiences in Korea, I have continuously sought opportunities to improve myself as a language teacher.

Completing my master's degree in TESOL further solidified my commitment to professional growth and mentorship. I believe in fostering a communicative approach to language learning, encouraging students to explore expressions, and embracing the learning process. It is essential to balance the four language skills while empowering students to become independent learners and self-reflect on their progress.

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My teaching philosophy centers around fostering natural expression, meaningful communication, and understanding diverse cultural contexts. I am dedicated to creating an inclusive learning environment that caters to students' individual needs and promotes self-directed learning.

Through this journey, I have realized the significance of effective teaching methods and the importance of supporting students with diverse backgrounds and cultures. I am committed to imparting language skills effectively and creating a rich and inclusive learning environment for all students.

In summary, my teaching experiences, continuous growth, and dedication to excellence have shaped my approach to language education. I am excited to contribute my skills, knowledge, and passion to future teaching opportunities, providing students with a transformative language learning experience.