The document is a reflection from a student teacher, Jimena Benito, on her practicum experience teaching English to a 6th form class of 23 students at a primary school. In the first lesson, Jimena felt secure and organized, but the second lesson went poorly as she struggled with instructions and timing. For the third lesson after a month, Jimena incorporated suggestions to improve her lesson planning and classroom management, and felt more confident with a successful lesson. Overall, the experience helped Jimena become aware of strengths and weaknesses to improve future teaching practices, though she remains self-critical of mistakes made.

1. INSTITUTO DE FORMACIÓN DOCENTE CONTINUA
LENGUAS VIVAS BARILOCHE (A-052)
Profesorado de Inglés – Opción pedagógica a distancia
Subject: Taller de Práctica Docente
Students: Jimena Benito
Tutor: Aurelia Velazquez
Date: September, 26th
Dimensions of Reflective Learning
“Reflecting back on my practicum experiences in primary school”
Thinking Back
To begin, I believe that the experience was marvelous. The group was
amazing: 6th
form, twenty three children speaking English all the lesson. The
kids are very motivated and engaged with the language. They are very
respectful and hardworking. The experience was excellent and rewarding.
I think that it took me some time to be aware of how many things I should
bear in mind when teaching. Although this period was very stressing since I
had to deal with several personal issues, I learnt a lot from this practicum and
from this group.
Planning the lessons for every class was very difficult, it was a time-consuming
task because I planned several activities but I did not feel sure about them.
Therefore, I planned and deleted the activities several times. That´s why I
always submitted the plan late. My bad!
On one hand, I tried to follow the syllabus and what the course teacher and
the headmistress expected from me. On the other hand, I had to follow my
tutors’ suggestions which many times did not match with the institutions’
expectations. In several situations I was caught between the devil and the
deep blue sea. At the end, I could find a balance.

2. During the first lesson, I felt secure and I could organize the students and the
activities well. I did not feel anxieties and the lesson was at the students´
pace. I could complete the whole plan and even gave them homework.
The second class was awful. I could not give clear instructions so the students
did not understand what they had to do. I felt very frustrated but I was so
nervous that I could not stop and reorganize the activity. Timing was awful as
well. The bell rang and I could not finish the activity. I felt overwhelmed and
really bad because of my performance.
After a month I was ready for the third class. I felt much better so the lesson
was better too. My lesson plan was again difficult to plan but the activities
were engaging for the students. I also read about classroom management, as
my tutor suggested. I could explain the activities clearly and the students
understood. Therefore, I felt more confident, timing was better too. The
students worked in a writing activity and they really focused on the task. When
the class finished, I felt happier because I could complete my lesson plan and
gave a properly closure to the lesson.
Thinking Forward
Reflecting on how to act differently in the future for sure will help me to
improve my teaching practices. Therefore, bearing this in mind, if I had the
chance to develop this practice again, first I would change some activities to
make them more challenging since the group could have done a bit more
demanding activities. Besides, I would give the instructions in different ways
and then I would check comprehension of them.
I believe that this experience in primary school, and particularly with this
group, has influenced my view about the kind of the activities that I should
have included in my lessons. Primary school´ children need more interesting
and engaging activities. I had planned some grammar-based activities but as
my tutor suggested me, I changed them. One of my weaknesses was to plan
too much grammar-based activities, but after this experience I believe that I
will be able to change, or at least I will try hard. So, I would put forward more
communicative activities which would go along with my teaching approach.
Thinking Inward

3. I believe that this experience helps me a lot to develop and also to be aware of
some classroom management strategies that will be useful in future lessons.
As I mentioned before, the group was charming so I could work with different
structures and a large lexis. They motivated me to be a better and responsible
teacher. I worked hard preparing materials and activities but in some moments
it was evident that my lack of experience with a big group was noticed. I think
that the suggestions that I received, were of paramount importance, since they
will help me to be more attentive to certain details in my future experiences.
I developed this experience in primary school doing my best, of course.
However, I think again and again my mistakes, all those things that I should
have done in a different way. I am not totally satisfied with my performance
because I would have like to be more relax to do the things better. I am very
self-demanding so still now that I am writing this reflection I feel bad because
of my mistakes. Nevertheless, I learnt from my mistakes and I work hard on
them. I feel more prepare to deal with big groups since this experience was
enriching and show me how great kids could be, despite the teacher´s
mistakes. This group taught me a lot.
In spite of my sorrow, I came back home full of energy and love from these
kids. And as I heard once, in every mistake there is a potential to growth.
Thinking Outward
Thinking about my tutors’ advice helped me to be aware of some mistakes that
I made not only during my practicum at school but also during the planning
stage. Several comments and suggestions helped me to change my point of
view about the lesson plan and also about my performance in the classroom. I
think that this feedback enriched and will enrich my future teaching
experiences. Suddenly the picture is very clear.
Although this was my first formal experience in a primary school and I was a
bit nervous, at the end I could enjoy teaching. Some lessons were more
stressful than others, but, all in all I believe that, although I did not success
one hundred percent, I feel that the experience was motivating and teaching.
I have to say one more time, that the teacher of the class, Miss Silvina Nuñez
gave many suggestions about how I could organize the lesson and what
strategies and activities worked best with the kids. The observation period was
very helpful since there I could know the group and its dynamic in the
classroom.
As I had already known the institution because of my kindergarten practicum, I
felt comfortable with the headmistress and also with the teacher. Both of them
were really supportive and they were always available to help me.
I must say that I am very grateful to my tutors, the course teacher and the
headmistress because I felt their support, especially this last month. Thanks a
bunch.