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Being a
writer used to be one of my greatest passions when I was a child. I always
looked forward to having writing classes at school and put great effort on the
stories I wrote. Unfortunately, as I grew older, things changed. As pressure
over writing became greater and greater, my willingness to write dwindled.
Matters became worse when I was asked to write essays in English, for I had
never really had a formal education on how to write an essay in that language.
As a result, I gradually stopped practicing and, consequently, I found writing
to be my weakest skill to the point of feeling really insecure. That was until
I took the Teachers Development Course – Writing (TDCW). Taking that course
brought my confidence back and taught me much more than I had expected. Reasons
for that abound, but I will focus on the ones I consider to be the most
important to me.
When people take up the TDCW,
they expect to be writing a lot during the course, and that is precisely what
happens. Part of the learning process is made through extensive writing, which
makes people feel more comfortable and the process more natural. Much of my
insecurity came from the fact that I had never really taken the time to
practice my English writing. Once I started making that a routine, writing
started to become a familiar process until I was accustomed to the methodologies.
Moreover, I was taught the nuances and peculiarities of the different kinds of
essays, which refined the various aspects of what is expected from a good
writer. Therefore, through continuously writing, questioning my results and
rewriting, I was able to polish and strengthen my skills.
Since
the course is aimed to teachers, one of the most important aspects of the subject is peer correction, and I do believe it to be one of
the most amazing facets of the TDCW. Peer correction in writing consists of
students reviewing their classmates’ essays and giving suggestions and advices
to the writer so he can improve his work. This is such a phenomenal way of
learning, for you not only practice through your own essay, but have the chance
of reading different styles and points of view on a similar subject. Also, you
are able to check your peers’ content and structure, which allows you to work
on your teaching skills. Hence, being able to analyze other essays is a superb
manner of enhancing both your learning and teaching skills.
This course played a pivotal
part in my personal development for so many other different reasons. Being in a
blended course, I had to learn how to be more inquisitive and question the
subjects I learned instead of being a passive learner who just received the
information the teacher gave me. Self-study was essential for me to learn about
independence and responsibility. I learned that writing is a personal process,
there are different ways of generating ideas and I can find the best way for me
to produce my work. A well-structured course and a present teacher who always
showed commitment were essential for my development.
It is interesting to notice how
my points of view changed in so little time. Two months in the TDCW were enough
for me to realize how writing can be a very pleasing experience. I started the
course feeling insecure and uncertain of how my development would unfold. I
thought I would have so many overwhelming problems and difficulties. I am not
saying that I have learned everything. I know that if I want to keep growing, I
will have to continue practicing. For this reason, I have recently decided to
start my own blog, where I can write about my work and other subjects that I
find dear. That was the approach I found to do something that gives pleasure
and, at the same time, learn and develop my capabilities. There is still a lot
to learn, but there is no fear anymore, only enthusiasm.
