Charmaine Dalde

Hi! I am Charmaine and I am a teacher by profession. I have been teaching for 16 years now and eleven years of my vast teaching experience was spent in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. My objective as a teacher is to motivate my students to develop their own learning interests and critical thinking to establish a learner-centered environment in the virtual classroom.
In particular, I have taught a wide range of courses from Philosophy to English Literature and Culture Studies during my teaching career in Cambodia. It has made me aware of the needs and interests of a culturally and ethnically diverse student body. As a result, I prepare lesson plans always considering the interconnection between the student’s own knowledge, culture and learning abilities, the subject matter discussed in class, and current debates on social issues. I choose content and activities that are both significant and challenging for the students so that they are simulated to think “ beyond” their comfort zone and feel involved in their learning process. Similarly, the activities and class discussions I facilitate encourage students to make connections between my field of study and other disciplines. Collaborative learning is also central to my teaching philosophy in order to promote reflective thinking and improve student’s communicative and trans-cultural skills.
The application of technology and computer-based material in the classroom such as using Zoom, Skype, Hangouts and YouTube are helpful tools in the promotion of meaningful learning through collaborative work as well. My commitment and approach to teaching have been rewarded with the best teaching evaluations in the institution dedicated to outstanding teaching. I believe that clear open, open communication with students is a key element in helping them learn.