Capstone EFL Portfolio

Abstract

Effective English language instruction requires in-depth reflection and critical analysis of the instructor’s context, priorities, experiences, and plans for the future. In this Teaching Portfolio, I first present my Teaching Philosophy, the vision that I strive to achieve in my classroom. This Teaching Philosophy rests upon three pillars: warm, supportive instruction guided by theories of Culturally Responsive Caring; democratic classroom teaching, informed by my identity as an American as well as my adult students’ agency and social roles; and the validation and activation of learners’ prior knowledge and language experiences, which can be leveraged for their future learning. In the section that follows, I examine several Artifacts which illustrate my progress toward achieving this vision. The Artifacts are either drawn from my coursework or from my past work as a classroom teacher. All of these Artifacts demonstrate my achievements as a new teacher as well as my shortcomings, and they have prompted me to reflect further about my future role in this profession. In the last section of this Portfolio, I will present my Applications to Practice, in which I discuss the challenges I have experienced thus far and plans to overcome those challenges in the future. I hope this Portfolio will represent my preparedness and eagerness to participate fully in the field of English language education.