Individualized Learning in Context: Constructivists’ Teaching Philosophy of Academic Writing for EAL Learners

Abstract

The prominent role of teaching philosophy statements is on the rise because they mirror broad skillsets and the expertise of doctoral or master’s program graduates (Merkel, 2020). This paper presents our philosophy of education, of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and of teaching academic writing for English as an Additional Language (EAL) students. First, it is maintained that in education, knowledge is individually and socially constructed (Piaget, 1970; Vygotsky, 1981). In light of the constructivists’ educational philosophy, it is argued that the EAL teachers need to possess knowledge in cognate disciplines to mediate the EAL students’ construction of their individualized linguistic and intercultural knowledge in dynamic, specific learning contexts. Finally, innovative pedagogical suggestions for what to cover and how to deliver the second language (L2) academic writing class with EAL students are offered.