Reflective practice (RP) helps teachers "develop a deeper understanding of their teaching, assess their professional growth, develop informed decision-making skills, and become proactive and confident in their teaching." (Farrell, 2018). Teachers can engage in RP through mutual observation, teaching journals, critical friendships, action research, and more. However, RP does not necessarily need to occur in the language classroom. According to Curtis (2022), "It can be helpful to think of RP as a kind of deliberate stepping back, to get a better view, or even as a kind of stepping outside of ourselves so that we can see both the big picture and the close-up in detail." Curtis (2022) also suggests that opportunities for RP can be found in other "helping professions" outside of language education.

The presenter, an English language teacher in Japan, will share how becoming a Pilates learner helps her reflect on and modify her teaching practices. She will discuss how observing her Pilates instructors' strategies for time management, error correction, scaffolding, and feedback/assessment has inspired her to change some of her teaching approaches and how becoming a learner has helped her reflect on her interactions with her learners. Entries made in an ongoing learning/teaching journal, including reflections on discussions with her Pilates instructors and other Pilates learners, will be shared, together with modifications she continues to make to her teaching practices.

This presentation will include practical advice for instructors who want to try "stepping outside of themselves" by engaging in RP outside their language classrooms.

Authors:
Aviva Ueno, Rikkyo University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Aviva Ueno is currently a lecturer in the Center for Foreign Language Education and Research at Rikkyo University, Japan.

Connect on ResearchGate
https://researchmap.jp/avivaueno

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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