Theories are Wonderful, But What Works, Works!
Joyce Mandell Takes An Experiential Approach to ESL
Here's how Joyce Mandell introduces herself: I live in the heart of Greenwich
Village, NYC, and teaching is but one of the many things I am involved
in, but somehow they all come together once I'm in the classroom. Jazz
and music are used to teach pronunciation and accent improvement skills,
the vitality of the city is used to create wildly funny and meaningful
debates in class. I hate seats; everyone gets a chance to "put their
bodies" into the act. Make it real is my motto, because my acting
background and the talented people I studied with would never accept
anything less than honest acting. You can't do line readings and be a
good actor, and you can't be afraid of mistakes if you are to become a
good speaker, a passionate speaker of English.
Ms. Mandell contributed as an article for ESL MiniConference Online
the following remarks from her TESL-L listserv posting
during a discussion about the relative importance of experience and theory
in determining the beliefs which guide our teaching decisions.
I find the discussion on the importance of SLA theory versus practice to
be quite useful, and has stirred up a few of my own ideas. As Bill
Snyder recently wrote, I think that both theory and experience are
inseparable; they work hand in hand in directing one's teaching in the
classroom. As I am currently in a graduate program, taking SLA this
semester, I find that a lot of the theories tend to clarify what I have
seen in the classroom over a period of 13 years teaching English to
adults.
On the other hand, theory never takes the place of "what works, works",
in my humble opinion. I read the theories and see if they match my
experience, and I don't alter things to adjust to a theory that I have
read. And again, if you force a teacher to teach according to some
learning theory which is wholly against her belief system, chances are it
won't work.
I always think that being knowledgeable and aware of theory can never
hurt. You have to sift through what makes sense to you, based on your
own experience as a teacher. I ask my adult students a lot about their
learning. I reflect on my own language learning, share what worked for
me, have others brainstorm ways of mastering certain things, etc. I
don't have all the answers, but if students believe they are learning,
enjoy the process, lose some of their fear and shame about making
mistakes, and come away with a positive feeling about speaking English -
well, I feel I have done my job.
Comment by Joyce Mandell
2002 ESL MiniConference Online
piafnyc@juno.com
Adult Education Teacher
New York City