Education – Page 20 – Katherine Reilly

August 21, 2023

The Transversal Competency No One Is Talking About

Do We Actually Foster Intrapersonal Skills?

The application of new approaches with the goal of improving one’s services and quality of work is a common practice observed in any professional sphere. English Language Teaching is no exception. If we were to count the innovations rendered in our field, one would be baffled by the plethora of techniques available. It is therefore logical for an educator to miss out on practices that would facilitate the delivery of a lesson in a more efficient manner. Transversal competencies have been deemed a requisite in all educational structures including that of our respected discipline. Critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, creativity, are but a few of the desired skills employers deem necessary in today’s competitive workforce. However, one element which is overshadowed most often than not, is that of Intrapersonal development.

Text by: Katherine Reilly, originally published by ELT NEWS

July 27, 2023

Stale Teachers and Victimized Students Realities and Repercussions

by Katherine Reilly for ELT NEWS

It was the beginning of a new school year and the annual preparations had commenced. It was high time I visited my local bookstore and found solace in the vast, albeit comforting variety of colorful stationery I deemed necessary to carry out my duties. A colorful pencil here, a rubber there… Oh! Here’s something for my junior students! Shiny sticker sheets adorned with the latest of characters that have been popping up on their screens. It takes a lot of effort to keep up with all the latest trends; a rewarding one nonetheless.

As I was waiting patiently in line before the cashier, a shop assistant walked by and wished me a happy and productive school year. Suddenly, the woman in front of me turned and politely asked if I were a teacher. I affirmed her suspicions – we teachers do stand out in crowds, don’t we? After some small talk and introductions, ‘Mary’ as I will be referring to her, shared that she is an English teacher and focuses solely on private tutoring. I myself prefer teaching at schools for personal convictions which I will get into detail below.

July 22, 2023

The End Times Are Here AI Chatbots and the Dismantlement of the Authorial Structure

by Katherine Reilly, originally published in ELT NEWS

Perhaps one of the most controversial topics I have ever been called upon to examine is that of the thinking machine. The dominant fear amongst skeptics is one of an artificial takeover via physical altercations, of technology over man. The imagery of science fiction may flood our minds; graphic depictions such as those featured in the popular Terminator film franchise, in which a dystopian future was brought about by our dependence on an entity of our own creation. Look no further fellow educators, for the future is dawning upon us. Whether we realize it or not, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already paved the way to restructuring our lives and the course of events that will follow. No, we are not referring to the potential physical dominance by AI, but rather our compliant cognitive subjugation to it.