TPD - Dimensions of Reflective Learning - Nivel Inicial

1. INSTITUTO DE FORMACIÓN DOCENTE CONTINUA
LENGUAS VIVAS BARILOCHE (A-052)
Profesorado de Inglés – Opción pedagógica a distancia.
 Subject: Taller de Práctica Docente
 Tutor's name: Prof. Aurelia Velázquez
 Student's name: Ailén Moller Poulsen
Dimensions of Reflective Learning – Nivel Inicial
Thinking Back
The goals for this first part of the Practicum were, to; first of all, to have my first experiences as an
English teacher and start getting to know myself as a teacher, . And secondly, to teach young
learners their L2 and to get to know their group dynamics.
I think that the objectives, the activities, and the use of resources were coherent with the
pedagogical perspective. The idea was for that learners to, not only recognized the food objects
they were presented with, but also for them to understand understood questions related to the
topic and answer them (e.g. ‘Do you like...?’ // ‘Yes, I do/No, I don’t), and to use this new lexis by
themselves in games and activities.
These aims were significant for the students, since they not only learned new words in the L2, but
they also strengthened their bonds with their classmates by helping each other when needed,
through the different activities and games.
For this part of the Practicum, it was necessary some psychological knowledge, as well as
pedagogical knowledge about children’s development and learning processes. For example, if we
think about Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, we must consider that kindergarten children
are going through the second stage, Preoperational Stage. During this stage, children begin to
think symbolically and use words and pictures to represent objects (this is why it is important the
use of visual input for them to acquire the vocabulary).
Finally, what I’ve learnt from this experience was that young learners learn much quicker than I
thought and retain an important amount of vocabulary.
Thinking Forward
If I had the chance of doing this practice again, there are certainly things I would change, and
especially taking into account this is my first experience teaching an L2. For example, I would try to

2. work on my classroom management strategies, since it is something that I realize I need to
improve quite urgently. Another thing I would change would be the activities’ dynamics. I think
that I must change the way I present the activities to avoid having the children getting distracted
or bored.
This experience will influence my future goals in different ways. For example, the way I would have
learners pay attention to me and the way I present the activities (as said before).
To achieve this, I will have to consider the way children learn and develop in the following stages,
try and get to know the class’ interests and motivations in order to provide a successful and
engaging lesson.
Thinking Inward

This experience was meaningful for me because, it let me have a first glimpse of how teaching is
and how I should work on from now on and what things I should improve.
I think that apart from the things I need to improve, this was a nice first experience. I really
enjoyed working with little kids and I think they enjoyed spending some time with me.
I tend to be very harsh on myself whenever I’m doing something (and quite insecure as well). And
this was not the exception. Although I’m quite satisfy satisfied with my development in this
practicum e period, I think that there are certain things I should improve. For example, when
planning the activities I should change the dynamics of some of them, for children to pay attention
and not get distracted so easily.
Regarding my intellectual, personal, and ethical development, this experience has made some
changes. For example, I’ve realized that been being in front of a classroom, although it may be
terrifying from time to time, is not as terrible as I thought it might be.
During this experience I felt several things. I felt nervous and anxious, sometimes frustrated
(especially when I couldn’t have the class’ attention), but at the end of all, I felt happy and more
relaxed. It was a nice experience and it helped me growth and I got the chance to know me a little
bit more, especially as a future teacher of English.
Thinking Outward

One of the problems I experience during this first stage of the practicum was, as mentioned
before, classroom management. I think this happened for several reasons. Some of them are, 1.
I’ve never been in front of a classroom with so many young kids; 2. I lack strategies and resources
to avoid or change this situation; 3. I lack experience in teaching.
I think that this could be improved by searching ideas on how to manage and cope with these
situations and talking with teachers, who I’m sure experience this, and learn how they manage
with it. Also, I should put it into practice to see if it works with the group I’m working or if I need to
change the strategies use.
Eventually, with patience, practice and time I will be able to cope with this ‘problem’ I currently
have.
Comentario [A1]: What do you mean?
Comentario [A2]: Definitely, Ailén!
Once you get immersed in this teaching
field, you start sharing with other teachers
and learn different strategies.