This document provides a final reflection on a practicum experience from a student completing placements at different school levels - kindergarten, secondary, and primary. In the first placement at kindergarten, the student was initially anxious but received encouragement from supportive teachers. She had to learn new technologies to film lessons. It was valuable to teach both young learners and adolescents, having previously only taught adults. Management strategies were identified as an area for improvement. Positive feedback showed the student chose good materials like pictures, music and videos. Devising her own materials motivated students more than just using course books. Going forward, the student will work on management strategies and discipline, as well as creating more engaging activities

1. FINAL REFLECTION ON PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE
(Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle)
Tutor: Aurelia Velázquez
Student: María Fernanda Saboy
My practicumexperience took place in two different schools: Kindergarten and Secondary in
“InstitutoModeloViedma”,andPrimaryin“InstitutoRosarioVeraPeñaloza”.Atthe beginning,
I thoughtI woulddothe three levelsatthe same school,butthe day I finished with Kinder the
Primary headmistress told me that I could not do Primary there because the English teacher
was on maternity leave. She was not very helpful or empathic and I felt really down and
frustrated. Ihad to findanotherschool andthat was really difficult. That is why I was not able
to finish my practicum last year. Fortunately, this year I returned to talk with the owner of
InstitutoModeloViedmaand,asthe secondarylevel is separated from primary, they allowed
me to do the secondary practicum there. I will ever be grateful to both schools and all the
people there.
WhenI was about to start my lessons in Kindergarten I was really panic-stricken. If it was not
for the English teacher, who encouraged me and gave me strength, I do not know if I would
have beenable todo it.She is reallyanadorable person.Ihave tosay that all the people there
(teachersandassistants aswell) helped me a lot. I even had to buy a new cell phone in order
to film the lessons and, as I am not very “techy”, they taught me how to use the camera, the
projector, the smart TV, and so on. It was difficult for me at the beginning, but now I am glad
aboutall the newthings thatI have learnedthroughthisexperience; not only about didactics,
but also about myself.
It was very important and interesting to teach very young learners and adolescents, since I
have always worked at different evening schools for adults and young adults (for more than
twentyyearsnow),whichisverydifferent from teaching children. I have to say that I am very
pleased with the experience in general. As regards what needs improvement, I have
discoveredwhatmyweakestpointsare,namely,management strategies. I think that perhaps
my age and personality have to do with that, but, well, the first step to start working on a
problem is recognizing it.
On the bright side, I must say that I made good choices in relation to the materials and
resources that I used or devised, judging by my tutor’s feedbacks and the results in the
classroom. The pupils loved the pictures, the music and the videos that I presented to them,
and they let me know that with their reactions. It was very surprising to discover that I am
capable of devisingorchoosingrelevantandsignificant activities for my classes. Before this, I
had alwaysuseddifferentcourse bookswithoutrealizinghow motivatingandenrichingfor our
lessons it can be to devise our own materials.
As regards what I learnt and I what I would do in the future, I would try to improve my
managementstrategies and be more strict in relation to discipline in the classroom. Another

2. aspect I have to work on is devising more meaningful and relevant activities in order to
motivate students and involve them more in the learning process.
In conclusion,Ihave tosay that I neverthoughtthatI wouldeverbe able to reach this stage in
the course of studies. I am so grateful for all I have learned through all this experience and,
mainly, to all the people that helped me in this arduous yet wonderful journey.