How does professional work in your field blend theoretical principles (abstract ideas that must usually be learned through focused study) and practical applications (day-to-day skills that must usually be developed through hands-on work)? Many individuals concentrate on what they are supposed to do in their workplace and forget integrating theoretical principles with practical applications. In the past few years especially in my professional field (teaching), there has been a great discussion about the importance of helping professionals blend their work with theory and practice. There was need to assist English teachers integrate teaching English with educational theoretical principles with practical experience. This would boost English education and enhance the students' listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. This paper discusses how professional work in the field of teaching blend theoretical principles and practical applications. .
One of the major dilemmas in teaching English is blending theory and practice. Teaching is usually too theoretical and therefore has little room for practice. However, recently, the teaching profession has evolved. Teachers have seen the importance of blending theory and practice in their teaching. Teachers are now focused on practical issues which concern their own functioning in and managing the classroom. Teachers employ the reflection component which is a central tool in teaching. Theory is an integrated part of reflection. Teachers reflect on the practice through use of professional knowledge and rational decision skills (Alderson 9).This is termed as reflective teaching. The subject matter knowledge is translated to promote student understanding. Teaching English also emphasizes the application of particular teaching strategies that have been suggested by a research on teaching. Furthermore, English teaching gives prioritizes on teaching that sensitizes the students' thinking, interests and patterns of developmental growth.
