Sarah Griffith
Digital
About Sarah
I have been teaching ESL for over 6 years, gaining experience teaching young learners, university students, and adults.
Areas of Expertise
Conversational English and Pronunciation
Instructional Design and Integrating Technology
Materials and Assessment Development
Community Building in the classroom
Program Development and Coordination
Pre-Service Teacher Training
Academic Writing
Teaching English as a Lingua Franca
English for Academic Puposes
Content-Based
Language teaching should be meaning-based with content that is relevant to the students, appealing to their interests and reason for study.
Cultural Awareness
Students can become knowledgeable about how language and culture intersect including understanding the importance of pragmatics. Learning to compare other cultures to their own can lead to compassionate and informed global citizens.
Inductive, Social Learning
Language learning is a social and inductive process. Students learn best when involved in stimulating and healthy debate, an exchange of ideas, and mutual learning.
Teacher's Role
The role of the teacher is not to tell the students what to think but to provide them the critical thinking skills and language capabilities to express their own thoughts, even when it differs from my own.
Power of Voice
Students can learn their voice is powerful and valued. By creating a classroom culture that encourages expression and debate confidence and independent can grow.
Responsive Teaching
There is no single “best way” for a student to learn, students are unique and I believe it is my responsibility to assess their needs, listen to their feedback, and adjust, to ensure the success of every student in my class.
“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”
Confucius
See me teach
This video is from an academic reading course for intermediate students at Mukogawa Forth Wright Institute.
Background
Virtual/Online Learning
COVID Response
English Program Development
University and Academic ESL
Monolingual and Multilingual Classrooms
I have taught in monolingual and multilingual classrooms for academic ESL. I am experienced in curriculum design and have taught courses with and without textbooks.
I have taught Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation and Grammar in Intensive English Programs. Students complete fun, interactive projects like poster presentations, online audio presentations, weekly field trips, and conversation circles.
Additionally, I have taught online courses with asynchronous lessons and live class components. I am skilled at developing flipped classrooms to ensure students progress and participate in a class community.
Program Development & Coordination
Community Outreach, Marketing and Student Recruitment
I was the Coordinator and teacher with the Gonzaga English Community Outreach, GECO. The program offers free ESL classes to adult immigrants and refugees and lets student-teachers gain teaching practice.
In this position, I expanded the program from an average attendance of 2-5 students to a multi-level program averaging 20-25+ students per week.
I coordinated a team of teachers and assistant coordinators. My tasks included scheduling, reviewing lesson plans, observing new teachers, providing teacher feedback, and assessing and placement of new students. I also marketed the program on social media, applied for grants, and networked to get local news coverage.
Additionally, I oversaw the development of a Pre-K class to provide lessons to children while the parents attended adult classes and secured grants for materials, snacks, and graduation party.
To learn more about the program and my research click here
Publications on the program:
International NGO/K-12
NGO Partnership
In this position, I am laid the foundation for a future expansive program and developed solutions for language learning in large classes with limited resources. Additionally, my focus was on developing critical thinking skills and breaking the norms of choral teaching and teacher-centered classrooms.
Education
Gonzaga University
2016-2018
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
100 Hour TEFL Certificate
International TEFL Academy
2015
170-Hour TEFL Certificate
Salisbury University
2007-2009
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
"To teach is to be full of hope."
LARRY CUBAN
See more about My Leadership and Pre-service Teacher training
Gonzaga ESL Community Outreach: the Community-based ESL Teacher Training Program
To read more the project, and research, visit: www.communitytesolprogram.com
Materials development
Take a look at a selection of materials I have developed.
I often incorporate authentic texts, music, songs, and interactive activities.
Contact me
I am available as an ESL/EFL Teacher, Teacher Trainer, or NGO Educational Consultant.
"Learners must no longer sit there and expect to be taught; teachers must no longer stand up there teaching all the time. Teachers have to learn to let go and learners have to learn to take hold."
BRIAN PAGE