THE ROLE OF A TEACHER IN THE CHANGING WORLD

JOVITA B. LAZATIN

Proficiency in academic language is a priority for K-12 educators. Learners must have basic interpersonal communicative skills or communicative competence and cognitive academic language proficiency.

Basic interpersonal communicative skills are listening and speaking skills that students tend to acquire quickly in a new language. These skills are needed to communicate in social situations, such as asking someone for directions.

Cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP), on the other hand, means academic language and cognitively demanding skills required for classroom success, which usually takes years to develop.

More recent research has extended CALP to include knowledge of word forms, functions, grammatical elements and discourse patterns used in academic settings; and higher-order thinking involved in academic settings.

One source for identifying what words constitute academic language includes words and usage that are required by the units taught.

This is done by identifying critical vocabulary in an essay, for example, and then pre-teaching around 20 words. First, review the pronunciation, and then have students “act out” the words, identify a physical gesture for the word, write definitions of terms using their own words.

Students enjoy this activity because they are able to teach each other. They then develop their own questions that apply academic vocabulary, and they can easily quantify how much new knowledge they are learning each day. Knowing they are making meaningful progress is essential for self-confidence.

— oOo— The author is Teacher II at Pampanga High School, City of San Fernando, Pampanga

CATHERINE G. ANGELES

To be a teacher is to be shepherd in the middle of the flock. Actually, it is not an easy job. It is not a profession but a vocation.

How can a teacher make a difference? With the attitudes of children today, who are exposed with modern gadgets, it adds a heavy load for a teacher to carry. The teacher really needs to sacrifice just to fulfill his duty or role as a molder of youth. The future is in his hands, no matter what. Consequently, a teacher should know these roles that he has to undertake in his journey.

The teacher as a leader. He leads to what is right and appropriate. He is a model. What he acts or says should be true in the eyes of a child. He serves as a guardian counselor who acts as a guiding light to the young. He is the transmitter of knowledge who fills the empty minds with wisdom and truth. Lastly, he is a tool of change. He should be a good influence to others.

A teacher undertakes a great role as second parent. It is not the monetary fulfillment that she receives as a teacher but the fulfillment within him that matters most. — oOo— The author is Head Teacher II at San Pedro Saug Elementary School, Lubao West District