1. The student completed her primary practicum teaching English at a school in Ushuaia, Argentina with 19 students, including one girl with special needs. 2. She was happy that the students were motivated to learn English, even though it was their first exposure to a second language. 3. The student reflected that using a variety of communicative activities, resources, songs and games helped the students understand and produce language within their level, and that developing a warm classroom atmosphere was important.

1. 1
Instituto de Formación Docente Continua
Lenguas Vivas Bariloche (A-052)
Profesorado de Inglés – Opción pedagógica a distancia.
Materia: Taller de Práctica Docente
Tutora: Aurelia Velázquez
Estudiante: Celeste Cortés
Tema: Reflexión Final Primaria
To begin with, I developed my Primary Practicum Period at “Mirador del Olivia School” which is
located in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego. There were 19 kids in this group. One of the girls has some
special needs. As a consequence, there are some days which are difficult to all of us since she
screams a lot, pushes us or throws things away. So, we need to calm her down in order to
continue working.
This is the first year children have English classes at this institution. Any of them have been
exposed to a second language before. However, I´m really happy because they are motivated to
learn.

2. 2
Thinking back:
What was the original aim of this project/experience?
The original aim of this practicum was to accompany the Spanish teacher to
develop her project about animals in Tierra del Fuego.
The usage of the Communicative and TPR Approaches, genuine resources like
mimes, songs, chants, flashcards, videos, games and activities were useful
to get the objective.
Were the objectives, activities and the use of resources coherent with
a pedagogical perspective?
I think that the objectives, activities and the use of resources were connected
with a pedagogical perspective keeping in mind that I was working with
students who have never had English before. As a consequence, I reckon that
it was crucial to provide them with a variety of activities that contain visual
aids and movement with the purpose to help them understand the topic being
dealt as well as to produce short language chunks. In addition, I think that
the strategies used to develop the writing skills were fruitful since kids were
able to produce simple sentences regarding their language level.
Was it significant for learners? Why/ why not?
In my opinion, I think this experience was really meaningful for children since
they were able to realize that we are working with the same topic with the
Spanish and Art teachers.
Actually, they were sympathetic with the project proposed. They were easily
involved with the lessons presented. They enjoyed the activities, videos,
songs, games, etc. What´s more, we had a lot of fun while learning was
taking place.
Although I like all the groups I work with at this school, we created a really
special atmosphere with this group. There are kids with varied personalities
and that makes me love working with them. It´s a real pleasure to be their
teacher since they get engaged with all my ideas.

3. 3
To my fortune, this is not a troublesome group. I can make them reflect when
it is necessary. Nevertheless, we have to accompany Priscila, the girl with
special needs. To be honest, it is sometimes difficult for all of us.
What specific skills/ knowledge/attributes were necessary to
develop this teaching experience?
The following items summarized some of the most important skills,
knowledge and attributes that were necessary to develop this teaching
experience:
- To begin with, I consider it was crucial to know specific characteristics of
the group, such as how Priscila reacts under some circumstances or that there
are three children that are not alphabetized yet.
-In addition, I reckon that it is always crucial to develop a warm atmosphere
to work in class with the purpose to help children get the goals set.
-Besides, I think that teaching is a labor of love. As a consequence, passion
for teaching was another significant ingredient that should be present in every
lesson.
-What´s more, the knowledge of the families´ characteristics in the
neighborhood is crucial to understand children´s profiles.
-Also, it was profitable to keep in mind the following strategies with the aim
to encourage them to understand the language being taught: a) using of
flashcards and videos, b) asking children to make predictions, c)
brainstorming ideas, d) using learners´ previous knowledge, e) miming, f)
modeling the language in order to help children produce it later, g) presenting
interesting games, etc.
-Another essential factor to keep in mind was respecting children´s own pace
of learning.
-I think that being their current English teacher is a meaningful advantage
since I know how each of the children work, their strengths and those points
which still need some improvements.
- I believe that it was significant to be creative with the purpose to get
children involved with genuine activities and resources.
-In addition, I think that it was relevant to know how 8 or 9 years old learners
incorporate knowledge since it helped me provide them proper resources and
activities.
-Moreover, I consider that it was important to know what teaching
methodologies and approaches may be the most appropriated for students at
this level.
-Furthermore, it was valuable to present the language in authentic contexts
with the purpose to let children explore it.

4. 4
-I think that another advantage I had working with this groups was that I
know how they usually behave. Consequently, classroom management
wasn´t a difficult issue to deal with.
-It was great to offer children a varied range of activities with the purpose to
focus on children´s different learning styles.
-Definitely, being aware of the kind of activities or games motivate children
was a great advantage.
What did I learn from this experience?
Honestly, I think it was a pleasurable experience to all of us.
In fact, it was a real challenge for my kids to have complete classes in English
and they were able to do that successfully.
Actually, I learnt that there is no limit when an educator pretends his/ her
students improve their learning. The most worthy example of this was given
to me this morning (Monday 2nd
July) when I gave kids the complete lesson
in English and they were able to use all the vocabulary and structures we
have learnt together during this six classes. They felt really comfortable and
nobody complained about the use of the second language during the whole
lesson.
I know I´m a very sentimental person, but I always enjoy every little
achievement of each one of my kids. I always try to show them that there´s
nothing wrong with making mistakes, but the most important thing is trying!
I love when they greet me in English in the paths, when Spanish teachers
share the lessons with us and participate singing, playing, etc. It´s a pleasure
when I get inside the classrooms and children are waiting to sing me the
“Hello” song with their books on their tables or they repeat me some short
dialogues we usually practice.
Uprightly, the head, vice-head and the Spanish teacher and all the other
teachers at the institution made me feel secure and cooperated a lot with me
to finish this practicum period on time. They were able to appreciate what
strategies, activities and resources were also useful to be used in Spanish
classes in order to help children improve their learning processes.
I simply loved this experience.
Thinking forward:

5. 5
If I had the chance to develop this experience/project again, what
chances would I make?
Actually, I wouldn´t change anything to this project since kids were capable
to use the language to communicate in authentic contexts and they enjoyed
all the activities and materials presented.
First, I thought I was a little repetitive with the vocabulary and the structures
used, however, this morning I realized that I was necessary to help them feel
secure and solve the tasks by themselves. I´m proud of my children´s
achievements.
How might this experience/project influence my future goals?
Actually, I think this experience let me reflect on the likelihood to continue
working transversally with teachers of other areas since children feel there´s
a global sense on their learning process.
How might this experience/project affect my pedagogical
experience?
Personally, this experience helped me comprehend that children are able to
understand when the whole lesson is taught in a second language. However,
as educators we should bear in mind that it is significant to use the
appropriate strategies in order to aid them reach the set goals.
Thinking inward:

6. 6
Why was this experience/project meaningful to me?
Without any doubts, this experience was amazing for me since I had to
opportunity to reflect on:
- How children can benefit of teachers´ cooperative work.
- How engaged can become a group children when educators use the
proper resources, strategies and language level.
- How important is recycling lexis and vocabulary in order to help
children incorporate the language being taught.
- The importance of developing each lesson period properly.
- The significance of developing a warm atmosphere in the classroom.
- The usefulness of listening to what children have to say.
What are my personal believes regarding this experience?
Personally, I loved this period of my practicum. I´m full of happiness since I
couldn´t believe how well children reacted to my teaching. I observed they
enjoyed the activities and resources presented.
I´m convinced that we should be open-minded to listen to others´
suggestions with the purpose to improve our teaching. I think that the more
we can share our plans and teaching experiences with other teachers, the
more chances to improve our teaching we have.
Once more, I can reassure that I have chosen the career that makes me feel
alive. It´s not just a job, but, it´s a pleasure. I really enjoy teaching!
Am I satisfied with the way I develop this practice? Why/why not?
Personally, I know that there is always the chance to do things even better.
However, I´m satisfied with the way I developed this practice. I enjoyed it
very much.

7. 7
What differences had this experience made in my intellectual,
personal or ethical development?
This experience made me feel more secure in my teaching. I was glad to hear
my partners´ suggestions because each one of them tried to push me become
a better educator. I´m a person who always try to listen to others when they
give me advice to improve my experiences.
How did I feel during this experience?
This period of my practice was amazing. I could enjoy my teaching and reflect
on things which need some improvement.
Actually, I think it happened because educators who work with me had always
a positive attitude towards my teaching ideas, methodology, resources, etc.
Their suggestions were always given in a respectful way. In fact, I consider
it is very important since we should always contribute with others in order to
help them improve their experiences.
Thinking outward:
What is my view regarding this topic, problem or situation? Are there
any alternative viewpoints?
I reckon that teaching English in public schools in my city is not easy task
because there are many factors which make it difficult to obtain the proposed
goals, like parents´ lack of interest on the subject, parents´ lack of possibility
to buy the materials, children´s personal situations, families reluctance to the
second language, schools reluctance to incorporate the subject in an
appropriate timetable, etc.

8. 8
However, I´m convinced that with hard work and the cooperation of the
institutions, English teachers will be able to offer an extraordinary resource
for children´s future.
Thanks Aure!
I really appreciate how kind you are to make your suggestions. Your
feedback is really significant to help me improve my teaching
experience.
It´s not what we say, but how we express our ideas what makes
the difference!