The student teacher was anxious but prepared to put their university lessons into practice during their practicum at an all-girls school. They found managing 45 students of varying English levels and ages challenging. While nervous at first, getting to know their students helped them feel more confident teaching. Counseling students on personal issues was unfamiliar and proved their biggest challenge to overcome. The student hoped to motivate students and help them become better people through learning English.

1. Reflection on my role and expectations of the professional practicum
experience (before starting teaching)
When I arrived at Colegio Maria Inmaculada I knew it was going to be a big challenge.
First of all, I’ve never worked with only female students before, so the environment inside
the classroom was very different from my other practicum experiences. Moreover, I
realized that every grade had many students (45) and it was going to be very difficult to
manage them because of their different English levels, their age, their different likes and
dislikes, etc… However, I felt anxious to put in practice everything I learnt during these
five years at the university. I knew that I had that advantage and that I was prepared for
everything.
At the beginning I felt really nervous, but when I start to get to know more information
from my students I felt more confident at the moment of preparing my classes. In addition
to this, I realized that it was going to be difficult to make the students get used to my new
methodologies and ways of teaching. My attitude towards them was always positive and
with respect, so I tried to make them feel comfortable at the moment of asking me
something they did not understand.
Regarding my counseling class, at the beginning I felt really lost because I did not know
which issues I had to talk them. I felt prepare at the moment of teaching English but talking
about behavior problems, grade problems, etc… was something that I did not do before that
moment. Therefore, this was my biggest challenge to overcome during the practicum.
I know that teaching have many difficulties, but I like challenges and I wanted to make the
best job possible during my time at that school. For me, teaching is something essential not
only in the language area but also in the value area. I am aware that I am not a teacher yet
and that I have a lot to learn during this experience. However, I will listen to my service
teacher’s advice to improve myself as a teacher and as a person. I expect to motivate
students and to make them understand how important is to learn another language, in this
case, English. I really want to inspire them to become better human beings with goals and
dreams. I hope to become a good influence on them and to make a difference in their lives
to help them in every possible way to become professionals and persons with integrity.