PORTFOLIO LINKS MBA Résumé : English CV : en français Teaching experience Study abroad Research projects Literary analyses Contact information	Teaching belief statement of Jonathan M. Leal On this page you can read my philosophy toward learning and, in particular, toward foreign language teaching.
Why is foreign language important?	I firmly believe that language is the glue that binds the world together, and that knowledge of another country's language is one of the most valuable skills anyone can possess. Not only does this open up a world of additional business possibilities, but the base for making new friends and for understanding yourself is made a great deal broader. I also believe that a language is culture. You know a language, you understand its culture - its idioms, the way it thinks, the way it relates. The more you learn about its culture, the more you understand its language, as well - it's a reciprocal relationship.
What role does it play in my life?	The skill of learning language is a gift I've been given and, until the age of 25, didn't fully appreciate. When I stumbled into a French class, it was as if my eyes had been opened: I suddenly discovered something I absolutely loved. While I didn't know where I would end up, I knew with certainty that the rest of my life would be spent in some capacity tied to foreign language. I'd like to learn many more languages before the end of my life. With each I discover a whole new world of thought far beyond the narrow scope of my own.
What role will foreign language play in my future?	My goal, after completing my MBA, is to find employment with an international company which will allow me to put into use my considerable international experience and knowledge of language and culture.
What have I learned about myself and about language through my teaching experience?	Teaching at OU has been a challenge - and, it turns out, one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I love the classes I taught, I love working with students, I love the adrenaline rush of molding the minds of the young students I worked with on a daily basis. I love getting asked questions and knowing the answers, I love demonstrating a love for the language and for life, I love discovering new things about the language as a result of student questions and interaction. I've learned too that teaching might be somewhere in my (distant) future.
What is my philosophy of teaching?	I firmly believe that every student can learn a foreign language. While some are more gifted at languages, I believe that those with the proper motivation and the properly-trained teachers can reach levels which surprise them. I strongly support the psychology of Krashen and Vygotsky, who support a communicative, interactive method of imparting knowledge. Language is a living, breathing thing that should not be relegated to endless repetition and workbook exercises - it's something that students should be able to grasp and use almost immediately, with their proficiency rising with each passing day. Admittedly, this is an ideal: reaching this goal within the classroom takes more experience than work or desire. I also believe the quality of the education depends to large extent on the teacher. Since language and culture are inextricably intertwined, the amount of knowledge and experience he or she has in the culture bears a direct impact on the quality of the language instruction. This is another reason I'd like to work in a francophone or German culture before returning (possibly) to the classroom one day.