This document summarizes a student teacher's practicum teaching English to 4-5 year olds at a Kindergarten in Argentina. It describes 5 lessons taught over 2 weeks, noting challenges of teaching a second language to young children for the first time. The student found classroom management difficult but saw the children engage with songs and activities. While progress was limited in 5 short lessons, the experience provided valuable insights into teaching young learners and room for growth in skills like patience.

1. INSTITUTO LENGUAS VIVAS - EDUCACIóN A DISTANCIA
ASIGNATURA: TALLER DE PRÁCTICA DOCENTE
TUTOR: CECILIA ZEMBORAIN
ALUMNO RESIDENTE: TRECH María Inés.
Practicum period : Jardin de Infantes - Kinder
School: Jardin de Infantes Nº 901 Paula Albarracin Coronel Dorrego - Pcia Buenos Aires.
Year Sala de 4 y 5 Turno tarde
Teacher : Marina Barrios ( Docente de la sala ) Nancy Corral ( Observador local, que
se ofreció a observarme ya que en este Jardin no hay ingles y la `práctica la estoy
realizando a través de un proyecto interno que gentilmente el Jardín accedió a mi pedido.
Observation date Monday 26/10 and Friday 30 /10
First and foremost I consider it is important to highlight that the children in this Kinder have
never attended English classes. It is their first encounter with an L2, so I insist that it is very
important to bear that in mind for the benefit of everybody.
The classes I observed were in Spanish. I decided to include both together because the
children were doing the same activity. Twice a week they participate in workshops, in this
opportunity, during this week it was a Cooking workshop. So in both classes they were
cooking “turron de quaker”.
The teacher presented all the materials and kitchen gadgets they needed, and then she
presented the ingredients one by one. she showed them , and then she read the recipe
out loud. Then they started to prepare the mixture following the teacher’s reading. she
was helping them, and they were taking turns to put the ingredients into a bowl, to bake
and after they had the mixture ready, they put the criollitas cookies in a recipient, all had
4/ 5 cookies, so they put the cookies taking turns.
they were sat as a whole group, because there were children from other Salitas (3-4-5
years ) but the teacher explained to me that they behave better and work more organized
when they are sat in smaller groups at the tables. .
1st lesson : Monday 2nd
To begin with I gathered the children together in a circle and we sang the “Hello” song.
They tried their best and reacted positively to all my commands.
I insist that these children have never had contact with a second language, that is why
sometimes I have to give instructions in L1, even though I say it before in English and
then In L2.
During this class I sat on the floor with the children , it was very fun that they repeated,
in English all the commands.
They were very enthusiastic with the presentation of the puppet some of them experienced
a silent period or were very shy, but I think this is Ok, because I am a new person and apart
I speak in English.

2. Miss Marina participated in the class as if she were another student, so I layed with her
modeling the example of the structure: what’s your name?. at the beginning it was a bit
difficult that they repeat the structure: My name is …. they just said their names.
Once I noticed they were ready I invited them to sit at their tables and write their names
on the worksheet.
Once they finished we sang the goodbye song.
as classroom strategies I used my body language to be understood, and I tried to follow
the lesson plan.
the truth is this: these children have never had English class, and I have never taught
children this age. So I think that from both sides we are making an enormous effort.
2nd lesson Friday 6th
This lesson was much better I think. To begin with as I had sent a note to their parents with
the links of the songs , almost all the children this time sang with me.
As there was no space there in the classroom, because they had been working with the
workshops , so we went to the playground, the one inside.
I started the classroom presenting the numbers in the context of teddy’s bear. The
children participated eagerly repeating and counting with me.
Again I had to repeat in L1 several instructions.
Again to model the controlled practice stage, I played with the teacher , who love
participating with me .
The children this time reacted better than in the first class. They participated more and I
think that today they really left the class learning the numbers. For me was very
satisfactory to listen to them repeat the numbers, counting the balloons in the cards.
Today I spoke more in English than in in the first class, and the children understood me.
I use very simple short structures.
During the matching activity the children in the classroom were a bit messy, I had to sing
the transitional song for silence, because they were speaking all at the same time. I had
to conduct the activity, showing the worksheet.
At the moment of singing the happy Birthday song they sang eagerly, but it is not
shown in the video because , of lack of memory. I will get a bigger memory for next
class.
How I feel: I really like more secondary, that is the truth, I am not used to working with
very little children. I think I need more patience.
3rd Lesson Monday 9th
Today I went on working with Teddy’s birthday. I presented the colours by means of
showing four balloons.
The presentation stage was excellent. The children listened to me very carefully and
seemed to enjoy the class.
Then when we reached to the controlled practice stage and I had to dictate, the class
turned a bit messy, even though I dictated several times, there were children who painted at
their wish. It is understandable that they are anxious and they want to finish but they
also have to wait and listen.

3. For the time being I a m being very patient with the children. This is the first time for all of
us. For them, it is their first encounter with L2 and for me, it is my first experience with little
children, so all of us are making a great effort.
4th Lesson, Friday 13th
Today the lesson was delivered in the music room. The classroom was busy with a lot of
stuff the teacher were preparing for a party next week.
the lesson in the music classroom was nice.
we had to adapt ourselves and play on the floor. then when we had to paint the worksheet
we sat on the floor too.
The children reactd positively to all I plan. Of course we have to take into account that this
is a project to be done in five classes, and they do not understand several of the
instructions I tell in English. Some of them translate, some of them do not pay attention.
There are other who really like and enjoy the class, they participate and they understand.
Little children are a difficult population to deal with, they keep on moving and touching
everything.
As regards the strategies I used they are the ones described in the plan. I present the
vocabulary, trying to make it the most entertaining as possible , I try to mime the activities,
and use my body language.
5th Lesson monday 16th
today was my last class. At last!
Kinder has been a nice experience, despite the fact that the children had no previous
knowledge of the language, I think they learnt several items. The Hello and GoodBye
songs, the happy Birthday song, and the colours. The rest of the items they will have to
go on practising. We all agree that learning a L2, need a lot of exposure, so as a
conclusion i can say that for the results of this very short experience, I am satisfied.