This document summarizes Cintia Beramendi's final teaching practicum at the secondary level. She struggled to find a school that would accept her for her practicum period in October and November. She was eventually able to complete her observation lessons at E.S.B N°306 from October 2nd to November 6th. During this time, she worked to get to know the students and build rapport before teaching. The goal of the experience was for Cintia to improve her skills and apply strategies and knowledge from her studies. She worked to engage 30 adolescent students through interactive activities and meaningful use of the target language. While challenging at times, the experience helped Cintia overcome her fears and confirm her preference for

1. Beramendi, Cintia
Final Assessment
Secondary Level
Introduction
Before finishing my practicum period at primary level I approached different secondary
schools in order to find one where I could do my last practicum period. Again, it was a
difficult job because as I was going to do my practicum period during October and
November, not many teachers were willing to “lend” me their courses at that time of the
year. Fortunately, when I approached the “E.S.B N°306” the secretary told me there wasn’t
eren’t any problem in doing my practicum period there, but that I needed the “Jefe
distrital’s authorization” since they’d never received students from “Lenguas Vivas”.
That procedure delayed my practicum lessons a few weeks but as soon as I got the forms
I took them to the school and talked to the teacher of 2°A so as to agree on a schedule.
Fortunately, I could almost accomplish with that schedule, in spite of the 3rd
lesson that I
had to postpone it for a week.
So, it was that on the 2nd
of October, I started with my observation lessons, and finished
this period the 6th
of November.
This time, during my observation lessons, I tried to get to know the group of students by
starting little informal conversations and answer some questions when they resorted to
me. That aspect helped me a lot to break the ice and to relax more when starting with my
first lesson as a teacher, because despite I was a bit anxious and nervous, I wasn’t as
nervous as in previous periods.
Development
Thinking back, I can say that the aim of this experience was to improve my own skills as a
future teacher and apply different teaching strategies, methods, and knowledge I’ve been
studying and learning during the four years of the “Profesorado”, as well as during
previous practicum periods. As regards the objectives, activities and the use of resources,
I think they were coherent with a pedagogical perspective. Creating different contexts and
presenting students with different interactive and communicative activities, let me develop
my lessons making them enjoyable and interesting. The lessons were thought to make
students participate and communicate in the target language classroom.
For that, I took different videos, pictures, and appealing material appealing to students,
always basing my classes on a communicative approach.
Besides, I think that it was significant for students since they were engaged in the activities
and in using the language meaningfully. During the lessons we dealt with past simple and
some topics such as holidays, superheroes and healthy habits; and students were willing
to tell the class their preferences, their lifestyles, and about past experiences.
Comentario [R1]: Excellent idea!!
Comentario [R2]: Which was…?

2. As regards the specific skills, knowledge and attributes that were necessary to develop
this teaching experience I need to say that they were many. Inside the classroom there
were 30 adolescents students with all what all that implies. Adolescents are not easy to
manage as they tend to “rebvel” and do what they want. So, I had to think on different
management strategies to “order” and make them be quiet during my lessons. Besides, I
had to think on different strategies and propose different material to engage and motivate
them, so that to avoid boredom and distraction.
So, I may say that I learnt a lot from this and previous experiences. I learnt that despite
sometimes you may face a difficult group of students; it is possible to motivate them and
make them be willing to learn a foreign language. But, it is important to do our job
consciously and responsibly. I mean, planning our lessons according to the group of
students we are working with, finding interesting and authentic material, and designing
activities appealing to our students.
To continue with and thinking backwards forwardly, if I had the chance to develop this
practice again I don’t know if I would make significant changes. What I know for sure is
that I need to keep on working on different classroom management strategies and develop
my imagination so as that to create contexts which go beyond presenting flashcards or
pictures. Maybe that one could be a change I would make; to create contexts with different
materials and tools such as videos or songs, among others. Despite I worked with that
kind of material, I didn’t use itthem to present a topic.
Surely, this experience has influenced my future goals. In the first place, despite I enjoyed
working with this group of students,; it helped me to confirm that I still choose young
learners. I loved working with little kids. And in the second place, I think that this
experience might affect my future pedagogical decisions since I learnt a lot namely, how to
apply strategies to avoid boredom or distraction, strategies to motivate students, among
others; and I’ll apply this knowledge to future lessons.
Thinking inwardly, this experience was really meaningful to me because as I said in
previous assessments, at the beginning of the year I thought I wouldn’t be wasn’t able to
face this experience. When I had to start with kindergarten level I was totally in panic. The
same happened when meeting the primary group who I did my practicum period with. So,
as regards my personal beliefs I think that this experience has helped me to break my own
deepest fears and helped me grow personally and professionally.
So, I’m totally satisfied with the way I developed this practice. I know that I have to keep on
learning and improving different aspects related to this career but thinking on my own
personality and taking into account I’m too shy and how much I “suffered” before starting
this period, I can say that I could overcome my fears and now I feel that everything is
possible.
Besides, now I’m better aware of my strengths and weaknesses and my own preferences
at the time of working with different types of groups.
Finally, I believe that we need to be critical of our own development and behavior as
teachers and as citizens too. For that, I think that we need to accept others’ points of view
and take what it is better to us to improve our way of doing something. I think that learning
is part of our everyday lives and construction is part of the process. So, taking into account
others’ suggestions is crucial to our own improvement and personal growth.
Comentario [R3]: Yes!!
Comentario [R4]: Why not?
Comentario [R5]: 

3. Conclusion
To conclude, I have to say that despite carrying on this practicum experience demanded
me much effort, which included sleepless nights, cries, nerves, and so on; it was really
rewarded and of great worth. I’m really proud of myself since last year when I thought on
this challenge I believed I wouldn’t be able to couldn’t do it.
Besides, this experience made me realize about my preferences at the time of working
with different students, and as I said before, I could confirm that what I enjoy the most is
working with little children. Now, I’ll keep on learning and improving my own teaching, as
I’m just starting. Comentario [R6]: Well, Cintia, as I
said before, learning will continue as
long as you wish. We must be ready to
teach any age, group and level. Of
course, you may prefer one age group
over another, what matters is that you
love what you do, and that will be
reflected in your classes, and in your
students.
I am glad to have accompanied you
during this last stage of your initial
training.
Keep it up!
Cecilia