Getting my Intuitive Heuristics on!

Sorry for the lame title. I was trying to be creative, but failed miserably. Better luck next time. Anyway, what is intuitive heuristics? Kumaravadivelu's Chapter 8 says that as a method of teaching, heuristics allows students learn by finding the answers themselves instead of being spoon-fed by their teachers. I think this is a great method. The only times I remember things I have learned at school and in life are when I have to struggle in some sense in order to reach a solution or find the answer. I have to have a personal connection and apply the particular fact or concept with my life, experience, background knowledge if I ever plan on recalling it in the future. I think most if not all learners function the same way. In the future, I want to be sure to help my students "activate their intuitive heuristics and discover the linguistic system by themselves", however, it is easier said than done. Some times it is easier and faster to just tell students the answers rather coaxing and encouraging them on their path of discovery. I can see my future self getting flustered and incapable of really explaining myself and the situation and simply reverting to saying the answer and moving on, even if not everyone is on board. That is definitely something I need and want to work on and I especially liked this chapter because if provides great examples of how to better teach (both deductively and inductively) intuitive heuristics.  As I read the sample microstrategies, I envisioned myself in the classroom implementing them, thought of ways to apply them to Spanish language classrooms, and tried to think of others. Microstrategy 8.1 about teaching the articles of trouble to ELLs really hit home with me. Article are second nature for native speakers, but they are quite troublesome for those just learning English. This example broke down the teaching of them into steps that helped give me a better idea on how I can teach other grammar points so that my students truly understand. Honestly, I kind of got excited reading about these different strategies. I feel as though my passion to teach is like a roller-coaster. One day I cannot wait to get my own classroom and create relationships with my students, and the next day I try thinking about other careers I can get with a Spanish Education degree. Knowing that there are so many resources with excellent teaching examples/activities out there at my disposal and seeing this specific samples helps calm my nerves about completely ruining the lives of children by not teaching them properly. I just do not want to fail, like I did with the title of this blog...