1. INSTITUTO DE FORMACIÓN DOCENTE CONTINUA
LENGUAS VIVAS BARILOCHE (A-052)
Profesorado de Inglés – Opción pedagógica a distancia
MATERIA: Prácticas Docentes I
TUTORA: Cecilia Zemborain
AÑO LECTIVO: 2018
NOMBRE DEL ALUMNO: Andrea Giordano
REFLECTIVE ESSAY
THE FOUR DIMENSIONS OF REFLECTIVE LEARNING IN MY
PRACTICUM
Teaching requires reflection in order to gain a deeper understanding of
ourselves and f our actions. Having finished my practicum period is a
pertinent moment to revisit what I have done.
2. THINKING BACK
The original aim of this project was to put in practice all the theory
we have beenstudying along the year and tohave a concrete meeting with
the reality of a young learner class. It was the moment of facing a group of
6- year-oldkids and prove to be effective inusing what we have learnt.
I was happy to do it as I know the kids who are in the class next to
mine and we share breaks and lunchtime. Perhaps I was not nervous about
how the experience wouldbe, but I felt committedtodo it well.
At the beginning everything was working according tomy planning
but thenI couldn’t start withthe observations. I beganthinking that
perhaps I would not be able to comply with this subject, whichmade me
feel uneasy.
Even ina hurry I managed todo the observations, the assistantships
and last but not least, the classes.
The secondclass was better thanthe first one as I could forget I was
being observed. I put everything aside anddevotedmy time to enjoy, have
fun and transmit it tothe kids. They know I am studying “tobecome a
better teacher”andthey were eager tocollaborate.
I had totake the command of the class putting aside the feeling that
perhaps I should have thought about other or more or less activities. As
soon as I saw themtotally involvedinwhat we were doing, I felt relief.
3. The most significant thing I learnt from this experienceis that I must
not be so strict withmyself andthat flowing withthe kids’ energy ledus to
safe harbor.
THINKING FORWARD
Nowthat some days have passedI can say that if I had the chance of
developing this practice againI would not constraint myself at the moment
of planning activitiesthinking that perhaps they wouldcreate chaos. I
would take themoutside toplay and would have background music during
the whole class. Talking about planning I realizedthat I needtodo it stepby
stepbecause I obviatedsome explanations as I felt themobvious (and now
I know the more detailed, the better).
This experience for sure will influencemy future goals as it gave me
the convictionthat each class shouldbe unique and I must be aware of
each student’s needs, strengthsandweaknesses. Perhaps as I felt I was an
intruder intheir routine, I couldnot show themthat for me experiencing
Englishis like fireworks.
My future pedagogical decisions will be affectedas I had the chance
of being in touch withvery young learners for the first time andthis
requires assimilationandaccommodationto all that I lived. I also know
what I want to improve inorder to become a better teacher.
THINKING INWARD
4. This experience was certainly meaningful to me as it reassured my
decision of finishing the career, even at a stage in life where I am closer to
retirement than to bloom. I know I am in the right track.
I feel satisfiedwiththesetwolessons. However, there are always
things toimprove as nothing is ecstatic but having the chance of handling a
new situationmakes me happy. It was nice to listentothemasking if I was
going togo back totheir class and to receive kisses fromkids that are
normally very distant.
I would not have dreamt of twobetter guides as the teacher of
Didactics andPractice togo through tothis experience. I did not experience
the distance and while I was planning, preparing materials andeven
delivering the class I was thinking in how would bothof you face what I had
to do.
THINKING OUTWARD
Junior B is a very affective group. They are alsothe youngest. Three
of themhave brothers inmy class and they were proud of being withme.
They felt “older”.
I am a quiet person, I never shout or get angry and this helpedthem
to be active and eager to participate but at the same time calmedthem
down. There were not outbursts or dangerous situations.
CONCLUSION
My practicumexperience was joyful and meaningful. It contributed
to my understanding of very young learners, torevisitmy childhood and to
5. remember that one of our main characteristicsas teachers must be the
flexibility toadapt ourselves tothe changes that children suggest.
Many of the concepts learnt inDidactics leadus tobear in mind the
importance of looking throughthe eyes of kids as it will be one of the keys
of our success as teachers.
