Paterno, Jhoanna Michelle G. teaches at Ateneo de Manila University. Across 20 comments from students, they hold a rating of 4.2 out of 5. Students score them 3.2 out of 5 on clarity, 3.0 out of 5 on helpfulness, 3.0 out of 5 on grading fairness and 2.7 out of 5 on workload. Of those comments, 14 read positive, 2 read mixed, 3 read neutral and 1 read negative. They are listed for 7 sections this term.
Leans worth takingread from published reviews and public records · low confidence
Take Paterno if you want an energetic literature / ENE lecturer who is described as motherly and good even by non-literature students, and you can recite, keep up with session-by-session Canvas or annotation work, and sit a no-gadget room. Lean away if you need device-allowed notes or a class with almost no weekly prep. Sample is two truncated writeups, so this is lean_take rather than take.
Suits
students who like energetic recitation-heavy literature discussion
students willing to do printed readings and handwritten notes
students who will keep up with light-but-constant session work
Look elsewhere if
students who need laptops or phones in class
students who will not do weekly Canvas or annotation prep
students hunting a no-prep elective
Instructor
English language and literature (critical literacy and pedagogy, children's literature, teaching literature, reading and writing)
Career
Instructor, Ateneo de Manila University · Department of English · current
trainer, Ateneo Center for English Language Teaching (ACELT) · Department of English · current
Engaging discussions; weekly deliverables but light
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadLight
Had her for ENE 13.05 2 years ago! This might be different but here you go
Personality: Very engaging and fun prof imo. She has great discussions and makes great points. Although the subject material isn't too novel (there are topics that you already know from high school), I still loved the subject. One thing you have to look out for is that she knows when you haven't read a reading at all. If no one volunteers for recitation, she will call some people and if you happen to be one of those people that didn't read the reading, she'll berate you (kindly) but still.
Workload: It’s not stated in the syllabus but we had deliverables every week for her class. At that time, I thought it was insane but the deliverables were relatively light and were more on the objective side (arrange the scenes of the movie from start to end, what is the focus of the film, etc.). There was only one instance where we had to get creative and write our own 1 paragraph story. Apart from those deliverables and readings, we have quizzes every so often. The quizzes were also objective type and you can honestly get away with just skimming the readings but then again, you will discuss the readings in class! If your birthday falls on the day you're going to have a quiz, she'll give you +2 bonus points.
The chunk of the grade is taken up by a video analysis for midterms and a feature article for finals. For the video analysis, you have to analyze a piece of sci-fi media and apply what you've learned throughout the entire semester. It's a lot like the video essays you see on YouTube. It's by group so choose your group mates wisely.
For the feature article, you choose a topic related to sci-fi in every day life so you can pick the Jollibot (automation or robot) or even just artificial intelligence. The topics can be whatever as long as they are in the bounds of what was discussed in class. You then have to write a feature article on your chosen topic.
Grading: A-able definitely. She's generous with grading but she will not hesitate to give you a low grade if she sees something she doesn't like in your outputs. Past reviews say she has high standards. I don't think that's the case. I think you should make sure to give her an output that is not sloppy and you'll be good!more
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Icy Viper
ty so so much!! <33
Anonymous
Engaging and fun, weekly deliverables but relatively light
positive
WorkloadLight
Had her for ENE 13.05 2 years ago! This might be different but here you goPersonality: Very engaging and fun prof imo. She has great discussions and makes great points. Although the subject material isn't too novel (there are topics that you already know from high school), I still loved the subject. One thing you have to look out for is that she knows when you haven't read a reading at all. If no one volunteers for recitation, she will call some people and if you happen to be one of those people that didn't read the reading, she'll berate you (kindly) but still.Workload: It’s not stated in the syllabus but we had deliverables every week for her class. At that time, I thought it was insane but the deliverables were relatively light and were more on the objective side (arrange the scenes of the movie from start to end, what is the focus of the film, etc.). There was only one instance where we had to get creative and write our own 1 paragraph story. Apart from those deliverables and readings, we have quizzes every so often. The quizzes were also objective type and you can honestly get away with just skimming the readings but then again, you will discuss the readings in class! If your birthday falls on the day you're going to have a quiz, she'll give you +2 bonus points. The chunk of the grade is taken up by a video analysis for midterms and a feature article for finals. For the video analysis, you have to analyze a piece of sci-fi media and apply what you've learned throughout the entire semester. It's a lot like the video essays you see on YouTube. It's by group so choose your group mates wisely.For the feature article, you choose a topic related to sci-fi in every day life so you can pick the Jollibot (automation or robot) or even just artificial intelligence. The topics can be whatever as long as they are in the bounds of what was discussed in class. You then have to write a feature article on your chosen topic. Grading: A-able definitely. She's generous with grading but she will not hesitate to give you a low grade if she sees something she doesn't like in your outputs. Past reviews say she has high standards. I don't think that's the case. I think you should make sure to give her an output that is not sloppy and you'll be good!more
Fancy Yak
Interesting lit lectures, work every session
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadMedium
Ms. Paterno is actually a really good lecturer! Her discussions are actually pretty interesting especially if you're into literature. She is quite particular with what she wants, though it is warranted as she is pretty good at analyzing texts. She does teach us ways on how to analyze them and I do believe in applying them especially on the Midterms and Finals you'll be just fine!
Speaking on the tests and her workload, other reviews don't tell you this but every session there's work to do! May it be on canvas or annotated papers that have to be brought to class, there always is something. Most of the time these are light tasks but they do take time out of your day and she does expect you to be ready during class! She asks for volunteers to speak and loves engaging in conversation with the literature and does make us think critically, which is really good. Sometimes it feels like Book Club! However it may get boring if you aren't that into literature.
For the texts she assigns, they are THE BEST! I can't think of even one text she assigned that I hadn't enjoyed, they were all such good reads and do bring out emotions if you get into it.
My biggest tip is ALWAYS DO THE ASSIGNED TASKS because everything is graded and will be part of your grade. She has quizzes on the assigned readings almost every session but if you prepare well they shouldn't be too hard!
I'd say she's a hard A. You'd have to exert alot of effort and apply all the skills she taught well. Much easier if you are already good at poetry and analyzing texts, but it isn't too hard to get a B / B+more
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Vivid Heron
how was her grading? also a freshie!
All comments
Mellow Egret
Thank you soooo much for the detailed review!
Thank you soooo much for the detailed review! Can i ask how she grades, like what % is the midterms, finals, and assigned tasks? Also, is recitation/participation graded? Tysmmm and sorry for my many questions 😭more
Swift Badger
Clear weights; A only if you excel
4.0 attainableYes
Her grading system goes like this: Module 1-3 Activities (25%), Departmental Midterm Exam (20%), Module 4-5 Activities (25%), Final Exam (20), Class Participation (10%). Module Activities are inclusive of Worksheets, Groupworks, Essays, and Quizzes in each Module. And yes, she does do Class Participation where Peer Evals, Self Eval, Teacher Eval and Canvas Eval play a role. A is possible, but only if you excel! Goodluck, OP!more
Dapper Robin
Particular grading and mood-dependent checking, but workable
mixed
Retake?Yes
4.0 attainableYes
LeniencyNo
her midterm and final exam bear 20% each (40% in total) and module activities all weight 50% and participation is 10%. Honestly what my blockmates n i really struggled with is how she grades us cuz she is very particular with what answer you give and how you deliver it, sometimes it depends on her mood HAHAHA so before exams we’d pray that she’s in a good mood when she’s checking. I got an A naman so pretty sure she’s workableeemore
Earnest Kite
Bait and considerate but VERY HEAVY workload, B+ with effort
positive
WorkloadHeavy
FOR ONLINE SETTING: ENGL 11Sobrang bait ni Ma’am pero grabe sobrang taas din ng standards nya HAHAHA. Magaling magturo, lahat ng infos na natutunan ko sa kanya, very relevant. Very considerate din sya. Iga guide ka nya sa lahat ng activities as in. BUT expect a VERY HEAVY workload. Basta sa isang module mga 3-5 ang mga activities/dboards plus a major project each module. Need talaga ng time management for her. Mahirap maka-A (in my opinion), pero B+ able naman with effort.more
Clever Finch
Motherly, knowledgeable, very manageable workload
positive
WorkloadLight
hi! I took her second sem last year :) i think past reviews are still true. In general, she’s very motherly like and the most english teacher you’ll ever meet! she’s super knowledgeable in her work and really pushes for students to work harder :)
i took her for humanities track + 3 hours and had seniors, so our sem ended early april
workload
- very manageable
- make sure you read the required chapters BEFOREHAND because gives 10pt(?) quizzes before the session starts bc
- get good groupmates!! you have worksheets and 2 group presentations
- order of presentations are determined on the day itself, so make sure your group is prepared
- for us, we had to watch one (online) play and choose a film for the groupworks
- recitation is part :) but don’t be pressured because she asks stuff from the reading or just your opinion
class rules
- no gadgets
- PRINTED readings (no sharing)
- i forgot if she doesn’t let you take the quiz if she distributed it already?
overall her class was really interesting and so fun!! it was the type where you’re motivated to attend class because she’s really good at teaching and choosing materials for the class :)
grade
- B+ with effort
- A-able with active effort!! (recite everytime, etc)
TLDR; the goat 🐐 go take her!!!more
Rapid Kite
Fun recits, easy quizzes, picky low exams
positive
LeniencyNo
Her classes are fun and engaging, she gives ample chances for recitation and is generally just a good lecturer. For her grading, she has quizzes for most of the new readings (they are easy though, just details from the readings). The part you should be worrying about are the exams. She grades strangely low and she is very particular about what she wants from your answers. Overall shes a good prof, but you need to work hard for a B+more
Dapper Puffin
B+ with effort; every session has a graded activity
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadMedium
b+ with effort! every session ends with an activity (either indiv or group), so make sure to do well in these since they contribute a lot to your grade
she has a midterm and a final, both of which require you to read texts and answer guide questions. my biggest tip is to always relate the concepts you learned in class to concrete examples. i cannot stress this enough because this is what helped me get decent grades on both her exams and other written assessments. don’t just define concepts—show that you actually understand them by applying them (make sure u know what ure talking abt lol ahaha)
overall, she’s a really engaging prof and knows how to get the entire class involved. the readings are pretty manageable, but she won’t stop until everyone gets the point she’s trying to make. i learned a lot from her class, and if you keep up with the readings, participate, and put effort into your answers, you’ll be finemore
Keen Gecko
Engaging freshie prof who counts Canvas participation
positive
Retake?Yes
had her as a freshie! ur in good hands!! she was rlly engaging w everybody and will notice if u try, make sure to participate sa mga activities in Canvas because she rlly counts them as part of your participation grade. you’ll learn a lot when it comes to essay structure, i especially learned how to balance my answers to be straight to the point, but still pleasing to read.
i remember she exempted us from the final term exam if we did good on the midterms :)) so thats def something u should keep in mind!more
Mellow Egret
Not an easy A; B+ with effort
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadHeavy
Not an easy A. B+ with effort, but she's a great prof. Lots of groupworks and readings. Analyze the readings well since she often gives out quizzes. Readings are all printed (no gadgets).more
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Clever Kite
make sure to take the time in understanding her critiques and practice! her feedback will rlly help u, not just for the class itself but also for future outputs in other subjects
Clever Dove
that’s new…? this is noted huhu thank you!
Anonymous
how manageable are the tasks and quizzes? are they quite difficult?
Golden Otter
I think they were mostly manageable, especially if you have good groupmates. Quizzes were easy as long as you know the material well.
Swift Badger
Print readings; no they/them in writing
Print out and read the readings before class. You get told off if you don't and she doesn't allow sharing.
Also for writing, she told us not to use They/Them when the voice or actor's gender wasn't specified, even when we explained it was default na for everyone. She said it was confusing 💀 and told us to use He/Him and assume unspecified genders to be male.more
Rapid Kite
Strict 7:30 attendance, moderate-heavy worksheets
positive
WorkloadHeavy
En 10 = 7:30 am class. Not going to recommend her if you hate 7:30 classes. She's really strict with attendance. One time i was a minute late from her class, she locked the door for all late-comers. If you are late for just a second in her class, it's counted as a cut. You can still sit in her class but all the requirements for that day won't count. In terms of workload, it's kinda moderate-heavy. A lot of worksheets that can help you to write your papers better. Very motherly and friendly during consultation in and out of her class.more
Calm Quail
Bait, sky-high standards, very heavy ENGL 11
positive
CourseENGL 11
4.0 attainableNo
WorkloadHeavy
FOR ONLINE SETTING: ENGL 11
Sobrang bait ni Ma’am pero grabe sobrang taas din ng standards nya HAHAHA. Magaling magturo, lahat ng infos na natutunan ko sa kanya, very relevant. Very considerate din sya. Iga guide ka nya sa lahat ng activities as in. BUT expect a VERY HEAVY workload. Basta sa isang module mga 3-5 ang mga activities/dboards plus a major project each module. Need talaga ng time management for her. Mahirap maka-A (in my opinion), pero B+ able naman with effort.more
Anonymous
Best English prof, worksheets, huge writing glow-up
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadMedium
SHE'S THE BEST ENGLISH PROF EVER!!! She does everything step by step, so if you're not fond of many worksheets and group works, then you may not find her "chill". But at the end of the day, you will really notice a HUGE improvement with regards to your writing! :)more
Jolly Heron
Grades ok, lectures so-so
neutral
grades ok. so-so in terms of lecture (depends how interested you are in lit)
Daring Egret
Motherly, energetic, lots of quizzes not hard ones
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadHeavy
Hii Miss Paterno was my prof for a different ene (humanities iirc). As someone who isn't a fan of literature, I'd say she is a good prof to take, very motherly and enthusiastic. She is very energetic when it comes to teaching, but still uses traditional methods like printed readings and hand written notes, so no gadgets allowed and you might need to be a bit more patient with her :'). She also likes participation, so better to recite (dw the questions are easy and mostly subjective). She also makes an effort to to connect with us Gen Z, specifically our humor, despite having classic examples.
As for assessments, they weren't hard, but a lot. She required us to read the assigned readings, cuz we had quizzes before the meeting (so DON'T BE LATE, she is strict with that huhu). A lot were groupworks like a review, video presentation, and group discussions. She also appreciated consultations, so make the most of it!
Somehow I got an A? HAHAHHAH I thought it was like B+, since she pointed out so much flaws in our works. "It's nice but...." something like that, but if you don't understand feel free to message her, her guide questions are really helpful. She also returns your works agad with feedback!
I think overall, an 8/10 experiencemore
Anonymous
Not an easy A; heavy but manageable load
positive
Retake?Yes
WorkloadHeavy
Love her! Not an easy A but you can get a B+ with enough effort! She just has a heavy workload but I think it's manageable.
Witty Lynx
Lots of work, book-club lectures, no devices
mixed
WorkloadHeavy
Took her first sem as a freshie hehe and the only thing i can say is that she gives a lot of work… besides that her lectures are very engaging like what another commenter said, it’s like a book club. Other than that she doesn’t allow devices at all and she’s very strict with thatmore
