Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my passions, my career and my life in general. I’ve been doing some RE-flecting, RE-learning and RE-setting (deep sigh). And my life changing conclusion is that… I still love languages. But I am more intrigued by the learning process in general. What environment works best for learning, what music allows you to zone in on your task and what portion of your brain is activated as you focus on the different aspects of learning such as cognitive and metacognitive techniques?? These are all topics for me to explore in another blog post but for today let’s circle back to Dear Language Lovers!

With the rapid technological changes impacting the language field it is nice to hear the human side of education. Gregory is a Professional Learning Specialist @ TESOL International Association with nearly 20 years of teaching experience. He shared that one of the key components in teaching is “connecting with students, personally exposing them to new experiences and expanding their horizons” (Stancil, September 2025).  He is the latest language enthusiast to participate in the Dear Language Lovers series and below are a few responses that stood out!

When did you fall in love with foreign languages?

I truly fell in love with foreign languages in college. I had studied Spanish in middle and high school, but I was “horrified” to learn that my university required three semesters of a foreign language… I studied relentlessly and by the end of the semester, I not only caught up but became one of her best students—and even her teaching assistant. In reality, it was Professor Calderon’s passion and contagious love for Spanish that inspired me and sparked my own.

When you were teaching, why did you feel it was important to understand your students’ unique needs and learning motivations?

Understanding each student’s unique needs and motivations is the key to reaching them. If you can discover their “why,” you can tailor your approach to connect with them more effectively. Once students see that what they’re learning aligns with their personal goals, teaching and learning become much easier—and far more meaningful.

What strategies or techniques did you use to improve your teaching and training skills?

I wasn’t the type of teacher obsessed with formal strategies or techniques, though I certainly used many along the way. My real strength was seeing potential in my students and giving them opportunities to lead—whether by helping peers, taking on special projects, or expressing themselves in the after-school arts program I ran. That program eventually grew, with my students and me, into a nationally televised youth TV show. I also tried to connect with each student, even those labeled as “troublemakers,” by giving them responsibility and trust. Often, their behavior transformed once they realized I genuinely cared and believed in them. In the end, treating each student as capable went a very long way.

As we continue to incorporate AI in the education field on a larger scale, let’s also be mindful of its limitations and the invaluable role educators play in the classroom.

So, another Language Enthusiast has shared their views on teaching and learning. Be sure to leave your experiences in the comments.

As a language learner and instructor how has your experience as a student shaped the way you conduct your classroom?

Has your experience as a student impacted how you view the classroom environment and student -facilitator interactions?

What role does a student’s personality, learning motivation and learning style play on a student’s ability to process and retain information?

What are the varying layers of language and is it important to explore all of them when studying a language?

Gregory is currently a Professional Learning Specialist @ TESOL International Association.

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