Final reflection- Secondary level

1. FINAL REFLECTION
Alumna: Patricia González

2. Description Feelings Evaluation Analysis Conclusion Action Plan
GIBB´S REFLECTIVE CYCLE

3. DESCRIPTION
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Third Senior "C" is a group of students who are between
thirteen and fourteen years old. They take English lessons twice
a week at Calafate School Institute.
Regarding their level, it is a pre-intermediate and they are
currently working with "English file" coursebook, fourth edition.
However, their teacher usually combines the new content from
the book with extra resources, like videos or recordings.
As I could observe, students work with confidence and
enthusiasm and they also get along really well between peers
and with the teacher.
Concerning my practicum, I was asked to teach the following
grammar structures: Past simple vs Present perfect,
expressions of movement and Passive voice.

4. FEELINGS
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Despite students´ willingness to learn, I felt quite nervous
since it was the first time I had to teach teenagers. I have
always thought they were the most difficult students to work
with since at that age, teachers should select not only
materials according to their interests but also the ones that
encourage the development of their critical thinking skills.
Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised since they
participated joyfully in every activity proposed without
hestitation, which was a relief. I felt there were certain issues
like for example the timing, that needed improvement
though.

5. EVALUATION
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Regarding the positive aspects of the lessons, students´
enthusiasm was always present. They did not have problems
working collaboratively or individually. Besides, they made a
great effort to solve the tasks given.
On the negative side, some grammar structures were difficult
for them to acquiere: the difference between present perfect
and past simple. I have noticed this due to their performance
in the written exams. Althought it was my fault the design of a
large test, it was also their responsibility not having succed in
them since the basic structure of present perfect was not
completely clear.

6. ANALYSIS
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One of the aspects that needed improvement was students´s
understanding of the grammatical structure "present perfect
vs past simple". Therefore, I decided to explain it from
scratch by applying other resources and strategies by
focusing on the structure itself. The timing was also a weak
spot, that is why I designed fewer activities that let students
have time to reflect and solve them carefully. These changes
actually worked since after revising the aspect they had
problems with, I evaluated them one more time and the
results were way better than the first time.

7. CONCLUSION
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I have included plenty of games and a vast variety of
materials which made lessons entertaining and interesting.
As a result, the implementation of these recurrent resources
and students´ willingness to learn have made my practicum
period an enjoyable experience for them and of course, for
me.
However, the focus should have been on students´
comprehension of the new lexis mentioned before by
providing them more activities to practice instead of moving
on with the following content. I also should have designed
an exam less demanding for not demotivated them after
receiving their feedback.

8. ACTION PLAN
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For future lessons, I would change certain aspects regarding
the way I carried out my lessons. To begin with, I would not
move on with a new lexis and grammatical structure unless I
were completely sure all my students recognize and use
correctly the one they were taught. To do so, I would use
different techniques taking into account multiple
intelligences and abilities people posses. Besides, I would
focus more on a communicative approach since that is the
main reason why students learn a new language, to
communicate effectively in real life situations.