My attitude towards practicum experience

It's almost the end of the year! It feels so weird. We're already half-way to graduation. Time passes so quickly.
In this entry, I would like to write something about my attitude towards practicum experience.

Practicum is a part of my student life from the very beginning. On my bachelor, I was obliged to do kindergarten, primary school, and English teaching practice, so I have quite an experience already. The school I went to was also not new for me, as last time on English teaching practicum I was assigned there. Nevertheless, the whole year was quite a struggle.

As in the meantime, I am working it was not new for me to go into the classroom and teach. It was a challenge to teach at my new pupils' level. The school has 5 hours of English per week plus 2 hours of bilingual classes, so they have a lot of the language. It took me a while to realize how children differ, memorize names, adjust my instruction to their level, become familiar with their books and system of class management. It didn't feel like early education at all. I was so shocked to notice that students have no problems with speaking their minds and they don't use Polish during the lesson.

I find this practicum as a very valuable experience. Different settings, different approach at school showed me that there are many ways of conducting classes, introducing a foreign language to young learners and also, achievements of students in this school showed me, that students are able to learn much more than public schools are telling us. I wish all the students could have this many hours of foreign language and such great teachers!

My mentor teacher was a great inspiration for me. Her lessons, advice, and feedback gave me more self-esteem and I felt like becoming a teacher like her would be a great achievement for me. She is very young still, but at the same time creative, innovative and her students are never bored during the lesson. I really look up to her.

On the other hand, I really liked it also when she told me what could be improved because this is how I can get better in my work. Constructive feedback is the greatest thing that teachers can get from one another, because, in spite of what some people think, teachers are never alone. They just don't reach for help.

There are still lots of things that I have to improve, but I believe I can do it one day to become as good as my mentor teacher! Am looking forward to seeing what the next semester brings.

xoxo


Comments

  1. Ania1 June 2019 at 17:31

    It is really nice to hear thay you've enjoyed your practicum experience. Wow, you have such an experience in teaching and observing different schools, I didn't know that! :) Having these possibilities you probably benefited a lot; but it's good to be exposed to various surroundings and stimuli. Thank you for sharing :)

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