Final Reflection

1. 1
InstitutodeFormaciónDocenteContinua
LenguasVivas Bariloche(A-052)
Profesorado deInglés–Opciónpedagógicaadistancia.
Materia:TallerdePrácticaDocente
Tutora:Aurelia Velázquez
Estudiante:CelesteCortés
Tema:ReflexiónFinalNivelSecundario
IdevelopedmySecondaryPracticumPeriodatapublicschoolcalledJ.M.Sobral whichislocated
in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego. There were 20 teens in this group. Neither of them attend to a
private institute. That´s why I´m proud of how hard they worked during this period.

2. 2
Thinking back:
What was the original aim of this project/experience?
The original aims of this practicum were:
- Continue working on the topics proposed by the local observer: Read a short story called
HalloweenHorrorandkeeponrevisingthe Simple PresentTense presentedinthe Unit6 of the
book used in class (Sign Up!).
-Provide learners the possibility to learn a second language differently. That´s presenting the
language communicatively by using authentic material and resources such as videos, songs,
stories, flashcards, power points, games, etc.
Were the objectives, activities and the use of resources coherent with a pedagogical
perspective?
I thinkthattheaims, the activities andthe use of resourceswere appropriatetakingintoaccount
that this group of learners have only 120´per week. As a consequence, I believe it was valuable
to present studentsa variety of exercises reinforced with visual supportandbody languagewith
the purpose to help them understand and produce the language.
Was it significant for learners? Why/ why not?

3. 3
I think so!
Studentswere openly sensitivetothe lessonsproposed. Mostofthemgoteasy involvedwith the
exercises and resources presented.
In addition, I could observe thatmany of the learners really appreciated my way of teaching and
the resources used to motivate them. I was able to perceive a sense of achievement in their
attitude towards learning and that was amazing.
What specific skills/ knowledge/attributes were necessary to develop this teaching
experience?
As adolescence is a complicated period, I think that one of the most significant aspects to
considerwasto establishawarmatmosphereinorderto convenethem.Ithinkithelpme toset
the mood of the class. To my fortune, these adolescents were fabulous! They were very
respectful and accepted the ideas proposed and my way of teaching.
Furthermore, I think it was crucial to know about the agreements of the language area since
they were useful to plan my classes.
In addition, I believe that it was necessary to present the language regarding meaningful and
authentic resources in order to focus on the different learning styles, likes and needs.
As these students have a really basic level of English it was meaningful for them to use the
appropriate lexicon supporting it with visual aids, videos,flashcards, games, bodylanguage as
strategies to help them understand the language. Other strategies that aided learners work
successfullywiththe languagewere:askingstudentstomake predictions,brainstormideas,use
their background knowledge or letting them use their phones to search for information.
Besides, it was important to be aware of different classroom management strategies withthe
purpose to help learners benefit from the lessons.
Moreover, it was important to know about methodologies and approaches that best suit for
learners at this stage.
To sum up, as I mentioned in my other reflections I´m convinced that teaching is a matter of
passion.It´s a key ingredientthatall educationsshouldcarry on because learnersrealize when
you teach with your heart.
What did I learn from this experience?
This experience taught me two important things.
On the one hand, I learnt that students can give their best if educators are empathic and
accompany them to achieve the goals.
On the other hand, I definitely learnt about the kind of person I want to be and the kind of
educatorI want to become.I considerwe shouldneverforgettobe humble andopen- minded
to learn from every single situation, no matter whether it is a pleasant or a disgusting one.

4. 4
Thinking forward:
If I had the chance to develop this experience/project again, what chances would I make?
If I had the chance to developthisexperience again,Ithink I wouldchange nothing!I´m proud
of the nice groupof humanbeings Ihad the possibilitytomeet. They couldhave beenreluctant
to accept me and my way of teaching.However, Ilovedhow they facedeverychallenge. Iwas
glad to see how motivated they worked most of the time.
How might this experience/project influence my future goals?
Actually, this experience taught me that there is always a way to teach a language, no matter
howbasic students´levelis. We onlyneedtobe resourceful,creativeandattentivetolearners´
needs, interests and likes.
How might this experience/project affect my pedagogical experience?
I think this experience might help me visualize the kind of educator I pretend to become.
Thinking inward:
Why was this experience/project meaningful to me?
In think this project was significant for me because:
- Firstof all,itwasa real challenge todevelopmy lessonscompletelyinEnglish inagroup
of teenswithverylow-level.However,itwasapleasuretoobservehow hardtheywork
to achieve the goals.(Yesterday,before leavingItoldthemIwasproudof theirpositive
attitude towardslearning.)Ibelieve thatthe approaches,materialsandresourcesused
and the rapport established were meaningful to help them believe in themselves.
- Besides, I think that stablishing a warm atmosphere in the classroom is one of the key
conceptseducatorsneedtoconsider inordertomotivatestudentstolearn. Fortunately,
I was able to prove this once more.

5. 5
- In addition, it was an intense period since it was the last stage of my practicum term.
This periodmeantthat was nearer to get the goal.But, most importantly,once more I
wasable toprove myself thatI´ve chosenthe rightcarrier.Isimplylovebeinginsidethe
classroomsince I not onlyhelplearners toimprove theirknowledge,buttheyalsogive
me the possibility to learn about different thigs.
- Last, but not least, this experience was important for me to reaffirm my ideas about
teaching.
What are my personal believes regarding this experience?
Without a shadow of a doubt, this experience helped me reflect about how pleasurable our
teaching results can be if we are convinced that our students can do things even better than
theydid before.Ithinkthat educatorsshouldalwaystrust on our learners´capacitiesalthough
it´s a great challenge!
Am I satisfied with the way I develop this practice? Why/why not?
Honestly, the results of this period were even better that I thought. Not many times before,I
had the possibility to meet a group of adolescent students who were willing to improve their
knowledge.Ican´texplainyouwithwords,the extraordinaryfeelingIhadwhenIlookedattheir
happy faces because they were able to develop the tasks properly. This,indicated me that my
job was well focus, too.
What differences had this experience made in my intellectual, personal or ethical
development?
This experience aided me think about the power of our words and acts.
How did I feel during this experience?
Actually, I´m pleased with the possibility I had to work with this group. Although they were
talkative, learners worked really enthusiastically and hard. I loved their critical way to discuss
about the topics we were dealing with.
However, I can´t deny that the local observer´s attitude was unpleasant for me. I think she
wasn´t able toseparate the motherand the teacher(Her sonwas one of my students) andthat
brought some complications when I called his attention.
Anyway,I´ll keepinmyheartthe worthythingsthatmake me grow,asmytutoralwayssuggests
me.
Thinking outward:
What is my view regarding this topic, problem or situation? Are there any alternative
viewpoints?
I strongly believe that being a teacher is a matter of passion that not every person is able to
carry on.

6. 6
However,Ithink educatorshaveintheirhandsthe powertohelplearners become criticalabout
different lives situations.
That´s whyI thinkthat theyhave the responsibilitytoneverstoplearning andtrynew thingsin
spite of the results.
Thanks my dear teacher for your support and guidance during
this period.
Thanks for your useful pieces of advice that helped me grow as
a person and as an educator, too.
Thanks for your patience and your kindness!