Reflection+on+Differentiated+Learning(Dr.Pinter)

“7th Foreign Language Teachers’ Conference” was held in/by Yüce College in on 17th March 2012. Keynote speakers are the experts of their field, I believe. I specially thank to Dr. Anna Maria Pinter, Deborah Blaz, Meghan Beler, and Patrick Shortt for their contributions and performances there. I will reflect my opinions about first session by Dr. Anna Maria Pinter and Meghan Beler. **Differentiated Learning – Links with Autonomy and Learning Strategies ** **by Dr. Anna Maria Pinter ** The first session in 7th Foreign Language Teachers’ Conference was presented by Dr. Annamaria Pinter. The title of the session was “Differentiated learning- links with autonomy and learning strategies.” As all other sessions, this was very good chance both for current and prospective teachers. Dr. Pinter aimed to inform us about differentiated learning, learner strategies and learner autonomy in her own view. Dr. Pinter involved speaking and writing through very practical activities. These can be adopted and applied in EFL and ESL classroom environments effectively and easily to shift the experience. Dr. Pinter started by explaining that differentiation refers to the different levels of competence, interests, needs, personalities, and learning styles. To make students more aware about the learning ‘grouping the students’ is important ,for students are encouraged to take responsibility in addition to experiencing independence and interdependence in group works. Dr. Pinter explained learning strategies to take in groups, and linked them to learner autonomy. According to Pinter, differentiation includes various strategies for learning which eases to control. It leads to learner autonomy, making students to take more responsibility for their learning. Autonomy also includes understanding what learning is (why/how/what we learn.), understanding about self, resources including how to ask for help, or where to look for information, etc. Dr. Pinter also stated that understanding about evaluating outcomes (such as planning and monitoring.) is another component of learner autonomy. Dr. Pinter gave the term ‘Autonomy Cycle’, she continued by explaining that it starts with choice and choice precedes commitment(motivation), reflection better understanding of both the self and the learning process, desire to improve and doing it again, in order. This autonomy cycle gives learners different tasks or the same tasks accordingly starts with choice and this can be applied for all levels and languages. Dr. Pinter continued by stating that teaching and learning are social processes and learners learn from others by participating, when they are motivated enough. Learners should be focused on learning needs and to get better, learners should do it again. Dr. Pinter suggested some activities to apply in Turkish schools. Dr. Pinter suggested some activities to apply in Turkish schools. As Dr. Pinter stated and we learned from ELT courses grouping students and selecting the activities or topics which teachers plan to put into practice in classes is very important issue because of the students characteristics and their choose. Overall, Dr. Pinter made it clear and well by supporting the subject matter with clear and applicable classroom activities. I think that her methods and suggestions were very beneficial for both current and us- prospective teachers to apply them and to strengthen our classes and learning process. Dr. Pinter did all the session in an enjoying way although it was the first session and early in the morning. I really enjoyed this session and gained experience and advice for my future education career, I believe.
 * REFLECTIONS ON YÜCE COLLEGE ELT CONFERENCE **

Bekir Karataş **comment by Salim AKKIN ** I definitely agree with you, Bekir. This conference was very beneficial for us because we have learned many activities and how to use them in foreign language classrooms. You understandably touch upon the topics related to differentiation, learner autonomy and grouping students. You also make connection between what we have learned about grouping students and selecting the activities or topics which teachers plan to put into practice in our department in ELT courses and in the conference. There is not much thing that I do not agree with you. The only thing you can improve is you should give some more information about the applicability and validity of the ideas in Turkey. As to your general design of the reflection, you have clearly mentioned about the topics related to EFL at the conference. You really give us useful and necessary information about what you have learned and observed at the conference. Thank you for your contribution...