Philosophy Statement (Literacy Autobiography)
Learning is an endless journey, which leads you from zero to infinity.
Most Taiwanese start learning when they are in prenatal phase. It's very popular for mothers reading or playing music during their pregnancy in Taiwan. So did my family. My mother told me those days who liked to listen to the radio, the programs such as music, storytelling or interview when my father went to work. Ironically, it turned out my mother often complained my talkativeness in my childhood. But even so, she believed knowledge was power, my mother still pampered me by buying many used books and reading to my brother and me before every afternoon napping. Now, I am forty-two, I would like to say that period of time brought me so much love and curiosity toward this world, it paved the way for me enjoying the reading.
But if I reviewed the major moments about learning my own language, it fell on the middle school. All Taiwan students starting from middle school, need to learn Chinese classic literature which extracts from five-thousand-year history. We analyze the constructor, connotation, interpretation, context, and application in which process guides Taiwan students to appreciate literature through the different lens and also inherited our ancestors' philosophy. Honestly, it's painstaking when I memorized them. But now I retrospect, it's how I harvest my fruit. Writing is one of the key elements, Taiwan students usually need to write a diary and essay on a weekly basis. Writing can reflect how much students have grasped from reading. My teacher always encouraged students to pick up some axioms from our memory. Obviously, it formed the cycle which the more students can memorize the more wordings they can utilize. After six-year training, three-year-middle-school plus three-year-high-school, students upgrade their Chinese language level rapidly. Most people in Taiwan have basic language in terms of famously historic literature and legendary poets.
Since it's long-time-schooling per day in Taiwan, from seven in the morning to nine o'clock at night (even students can be off school at five, but parents would drive them to afterschool, language center or talent class, etc. For high school or college entry exam, school usually will prolong schooling to nine o'clock automatically for specific graders). To some extent, it's almost impossible for Taiwan students to have reading and writing outside of the classroom. Their whole lives are packed with academic-related learning during those days, even on summer or winter vacations. Because teachers always assign more homework before the long break to make sure students studying hard. Of course, all students still read non-textbook during summer or Chinese New Year, but sadly, most of reading is part of the assignments.
Personally, I did have some time to read whatever I was interested in during summer. Most of the time it happened at midnight after I finish summer homework. I read a variety of genre and purely enjoyed the content when I didn't have to analyze the plot or connotation. Even now, reading is still one of my hobbies. But the version has been evolving from hard copy to virtual e-book.
In my generation, the computer was a luxury in most families. I learned the first and the second language from tangible textbooks. Without the sufficient financial support, my process of second language learning staggered for a long time. But during the past decade, along with the understanding and confidence in technology, I have tried many apps or websites to assist my learning. The first step, I listened to radio program from the internet, it provided me the asynchronous choice to improve my listening when I was available. I could also adjust the speaking speed accommodated my level. Next step, I started to read some funny websites, including PBS kids, reader digest. I kept exploring many websites, for instance, YouTube, CNN, VOA, BBC. All of them provide English learning tool for ELLs all over the world. Last year, I downloaded the app called "Duolingo" and started to learn Spanish through this app flexibly.
In my perspective, language and literacy development are serious. Depending on where you are, why you need, what propose you are after and how you would like people to evaluate your value. However, considering all aspects at the same time would only terrify learners. For example, it's really common when you ask Taiwan students about their English level and they don't know how to express. In their brains, they try to figure out the perfect vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. And eventually, they have already lost the opportune timing to converse.
I don't mean proper vocabulary, correct grammar and beautiful pronunciation are not important. They are the skeleton elements in language and literacy. Human's civilization passes down because of these symbols. Through the language, we can understand the route our ancestors traveled; through the literacy, we can recognize the ways they lived and how they thought. That can explain that how you use the language also represents your social status. Just like the baby, I believe the language acquisition takes time. From copying, practicing to applying, the process needs encouragement and patience. But speaking aloud is a positive progress, the output can stimulate learner's input. In the novice phase, teachers should bear in mind that speaking with confidence is as important as high-level vocabulary and correct grammar.
Having Chinese-teaching experience for many years, which makes me always have interest in how my American friends learn Mandarin in Taiwan. Recently, one of them complained about the current teacher's style. He came to Taiwan three years ago, back then, the teacher encouraged students to speak aloud. Comparing to the former teacher, the present teacher often reminds him to use correct grammar. To the teacher, it's her responsibility, but to my friend, it discourages him from going forward. After hearing the story, I realize that being a teacher, it's difficult but a must-be to balance the teaching strategies. And an experienced teacher always put students' needs and learning objective in the first priority and know how to employ all methods for complying with different level students.
For sure that I can identify the ELLs because I am still learning English. It's no doubt writing makes me great strides toward English. Unfortunately, in Taiwan, I progress slowly due to I only write in English when I submit the assignment. Except for the assignment, I write to communicate with others every day, but in Mandarin. I go to language center only to maintain my English speaking and listening. I recognize the importance of writing, but I can't find any other effective means to improve my writing. I assume I should stick to the traditional way-- read more and try to emulate the expression. Hopefully, my English can keep up as well as with my Mandarin.
