About Me
My name is Sally Khalil. I was born in Alexandria, Egypt. I have been living in California since 2015. My extensive background spans a range of academic and professional achievements. This includes a Master of Arts in English from Chapman University and a Master of Arts in Arabic from Middlebury College. It also includes coursework in English at UCSB and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Alexandria. I am certified in TESOL from the University of California, Los Angeles, and have earned certifications as a Google Educator Level 1 and IT Support.
In my spare time, I like to learn new languages, travel abroad every summer, and write short stories and book/movie reviews. While working at the College of the Canyons and New Horizon School in California, I designed and delivered dynamic lessons tailored to different age groups, proficiency levels, and learning styles. I integrated cultural elements into my lessons, enhancing students' understanding of English-speaking cultures and global perspectives. In my approach, I use technology and multimedia resources to enrich the learning experience, and I take pride in creating individualized learning plans to address each student’s needs. I help students to take responsibility for their own learning, to think critically, and to collaborate with each other.
If you're looking for an experienced teacher, I am here to help you achieve your goals. Let’s embark on this educational adventure together!
My Cultural Collage
Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy centers on the belief that all students have the potential to succeed when given the right tools and environment. In my classroom, I incorporate cultural content into lessons, ensuring the students see their diverse backgrounds and experiences reflected in the curriculum.
Integrating students' voices into the learning process creates a classroom where their ideas and perspectives are valued, promoting ownership and respect for each other. I also integrate technology to enhance learning, making it interactive and accessible. Critical and analytical thinking are at the core of my teaching, encouraging students to explore, question, and understand the world around them. To make learning both effective and enjoyable, I incorporate fun activities that keep students motivated and excited to learn.
Integrating students' voices into the learning process creates a classroom where their ideas and perspectives are valued, promoting ownership and respect for each other. I also integrate technology to enhance learning, making it interactive and accessible. Critical and analytical thinking are at the core of my teaching, encouraging students to explore, question, and understand the world around them. To make learning both effective and enjoyable, I incorporate fun activities that keep students motivated and excited to learn.
Professional Goals
The first is to enhance my classroom management skills, a crucial aspect of creating a productive learning environment. I'm committed to learning new techniques that will minimize disruptive behavior and maximize learning time.
My second goal is to boost student engagement. I plan to achieve this by implementing strategies that encourage student interaction during lessons, such as more pair and group activities and interactive language games and discussions.
My third new goal is to design lesson plans that include cultural content to help students understand and respect cultural diversity, which is essential for their development.
Finally, I plan to pursue further certifications in teaching and technology. My next step is to educate myself about the use of AI in education. I will study to become a Google Educator level 2 and learn more features. In addition, I plan to acquire video editing skills to create educational content on my YouTube channel.
My second goal is to boost student engagement. I plan to achieve this by implementing strategies that encourage student interaction during lessons, such as more pair and group activities and interactive language games and discussions.
My third new goal is to design lesson plans that include cultural content to help students understand and respect cultural diversity, which is essential for their development.
Finally, I plan to pursue further certifications in teaching and technology. My next step is to educate myself about the use of AI in education. I will study to become a Google Educator level 2 and learn more features. In addition, I plan to acquire video editing skills to create educational content on my YouTube channel.
Reflection
Joining the UCLA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate program has been a truly enlightening journey. It has opened my eyes to the nuances of language teaching and the importance of cultural understanding. I have gained valuable insights into effective teaching strategies and have developed a deep appreciation for the diverse needs of language learners. I learned about concepts in linguistics and second language development; methods of teaching listening, speaking, reading and writing; current technologies for teaching English and cultural understanding. The experience has been rewarding and enriching, and I’m excited to apply my new knowledge in the classroom.