Final Report - Secondary

1. I.F.D.C. Lenguas Vivas
Taller de Práctica Docente 2015
Trabajo final de evaluación personal sobre la práctica docente
Third Period – Secondary
Tutor: Prof. Cecilia Zemborain
Student: Myriam Tielve
Introduction
The aim of this report is to assess my own performance in my practicum with teenagers of
the second form in Escuela de Educación Secundaria Ayelén and reflect restrospectively
about this pedagogical experience. Although I have been teaching in secondary schools for
many years and I have had many adolescents as private students, this experience proved
to be a real challenge for me as each group has its own characteristics and I had to adapt
to a real mixed ability group with no out intrinsic motivation to learn the language.
Thinking Back
The original aim of this experience was to applying all my knowledge and previous
experience in order to create a friendly atmosphere but at the same time encourage the
students to approach the language in a more communicative way.
It was not easy to plan my lessons as I had to be creative in order to engage enhance the
students to work actively and provide them with suitable activities according to their level
and follow their coursebook syllabus at the same time. However, unexpectedly, students
seemed motivated from the very beginning and tried to perform the activities the best
possible.
I also had to resourtce to different techniques to help students understand instructions in
L2. Gestures, performing the activities myself or with the aid of their teacher or a
proficient student, gestures, drawings, posters or even writing on the board were used in
every lesson. Nevertheless, some of the students were asking me to translate into L1
because they said they did not understand. It was then when I had to be really patient in
order to try to explain the instructions over and over again.
No matter how much effort I madedid, I finished most of my lessons with mixed feelings
and wondering if I had really fulfilled the objectives proposed in my plans.
Comentario [R1]: 
What was different in your lessons that
made them feel motivated?
Comentario [R2]: Excellent strategies!
Comentario [R3]: These feelings and
questions are the ones that help you
continue developing.

2. Thinking forward
If I had the chance to develop this practice again I would surely change my way of
checking students´ understanding and not repeating “Is it OK?” or “No problem” all the
time. I should have asked them to repeat the instructions but they would have done them
in L1 as they were used to doing it with their teacher. I should have asked them to
exemplify one of the answers on the board but only a proficient student usually offered to
come to the board to perform the activity. I should have asked peers to explain the
instructions to the student sitting next to them but some of them would do it in L1 and
others would do nothing but misbehave. I had only four lessons with them and some
behaviour can only be changed in the long term. At that moment I was glad to listen to
them repeating “No problem” as a signal that they had at least understood how they were
expected to perform certain activities.
Indeed On the other hand, I consider that all the strategies mentioned could be really
effective in mixed ability classrooms and I will use them every time I need with my own
groups of students. My decision is using L2 in my lessons and my own students take
advantage of it. However, I can see the results little by little and step after step. The most
rewarding is listening to them when they end the sixth year of the secondary school.
Thinking Inward
As I have said in previous final reports every experience is meaningful to me as I am really
critical on my own work. During my lessons I realized that I was committing some mistakes
while speaking or giving some instructions. I was looking at the students all the time and
felt a little disappointed when they showed me that they couldn´t understand me.
Therefore, I tried to use very simple words and direct instructions so as to help them.
Things may always be better but I am satisfied with the way I developed this practice. At
least, I showed the students that there is a different way of learning the language and
showed them a variety of activities which they had not performed before.
Both the students and the teacher thanked me after finishing my last lesson and asked me
if I they were going to see me again. I know they have also changed some eating habits as
this was the topic we were dealing with and some students who were not eager to
participate in the first lesson, took a more active role in the following ones.
Thinking Outward
Being in another institution gave me food for thought that different school communities
can affect students´ cognitive processes and interest of learning a foreign language.
Comentario [R4]: Of course they
would at the beginning, but you could also
guide them to start retelling instructions in
L2.
Comentario [R5]: You could also write
simple instructions or cues on the board, as
you explained.
Comentario [R6]: I understand.
Comentario [R7]: Reflection and
changes are essential components of
development…
Comentario [R8]: I agree!

3. However, I think that if there is not a naturally intrinsic motivation to learn a new
language, teachers should encourage students to do it by providing activities and creating
contexts which are near and meaningful to students.
Conclusion
It was the last period of my practicum. I have enjoyed it in spite of my anxiety, my nerves,
my mistakes and all my work. If I had the possibility to do all the three periods again, I
would surely change many of the things I did. However, it would be reading the
newspaper of the next Monday.
Teachers do not have time to read the paper of the next day. I will go on working hard as I
do every day in my lessons. I know that I commit mistakes but I always reflect on them. I
know that I have to improve a lot and go on studying. But I am glad to think that I am near
to the get a goal I have been waiting for many years.
Thanks Cecilia for your support and your kind feedback! I will never forget this enriching
experience.
Myriam
Comentario [R9]: Wise thinking!
Comentario [R10]: I don’t get to
understand this ….
Comentario [R11]: Yes!!!! 
Comentario [R12]: The merit is all
yours, Myriam!!! 
I have enjoyed accompanying you in
previous courses, and in this one in
particular, I have witnessed how much you
have grown professionally.
Keep learning and reflecting!!
Cecilia