The student teacher found their first teaching experience to be fantastic and rewarding, as they successfully connected with the students and taught an engaging lesson according to the students' interests and abilities. Though nervous at first, the teacher felt motivated by how well the lesson went and the students' enjoyment of the activities. Overall the experience exceeded the teacher's expectations and made them feel ready and eager to continue teaching at a higher level.

1. INSTITUTO DE FORMACIÓN DOCENTE CONTINUA
LENGUAS VIVAS BARILOCHE (A-052)
Profesorado de Inglés – Opción pedagógica a distancia
Taller de Práctica Docente
Tutor: Aurelia Velázquez
Student: Florencia Mestre
Adaptedfrom Karen Barnstable (2009)
These fourdimensionsare intendedto help teachers gaina deeper understandingofthemselves
and oftheir actions.
“Thinking back, Thinking Forward, Thinking Inward and Thinking Outward”
Final reflexiónbased onthe four dimensions ofReflective learning
If I have to look back on my first teaching experience now, I can say that it
was fantastic. The aim of this first encounter with children was, to teach them
in a meaningful way in order to succeed in the teaching/learning experience.
On my first observation class, I managed to have a slight idea of the
general aspects ofthe group and on my second one I was able to make a
diagnosis of the group in order to build up an interesting lesson plan. This was
also according to their teacher's planning, their tastes and previously
acquired knowledge.
I strongly believe that a teacher should spend the necessary time making the
correct diagnosis of a group, thinking how a lesson could be more interesting
to them. I was eager to start teaching but I was also a bit scared. The group
was conformed of 24 kids aged four! It was time to put into practice my
teaching strategies knowledge in order to give my students an interesting

2. lesson. So, there I was, trying to do my best.
It was amazing how well we connected. I felt a bit strange at the beginning of
the class but it ended up being wonderful, even a lot better than I had
imagined. I was able to catch their attention and interest about the topic we
were dealing with. They loved singing, watching song videos and painting.
We all felt very comfortable with each other. My objectives, activities
material and tools were well developed according to my tutor's comments and
advice. I made them feel motivated, so I felt motivated too.
The chosenvideos were funny and enjoyable. The teacher guided and
supported me in all the activities I wanted to do and also helped me to find
some extra material.
It was a nice experience, sitting there on their small chairs, singing with them
and watching videos together. It was a lovely experience. My heart was full of
happiness. I love little children, if I had the possibility of doing it again I
would be more relaxed before starting the lesson and speak more naturally to
them, repeating the keywords. I was really nervous but it was probably due to
my complete lack of experience.
When I first started studying this career I enjoyed reading and
learning about students, didactic, psychologyand how to teach phonetics, but
whenever I thought that someday I was going to be in front of a class, I just
could not imagine how it would be. Exposure gives me goosebumps. Itwas
really challenging for me, giving the lesson and so rewarding to do it
successfully. The kids did not want me to leave! I just couldn't believe it.
I enjoyed my classes. The planning was suitable to the group according to
their level and their age. I found my experience very useful and my
expectation was highly exceeded. I had never thought I would be able to
succeed.
Despite the fact that I was only going to give them a few lessons I tried to
build a bond between me and them, in this way I could foster a comfortable
atmosphere being with a positive mood to encourage them to participate on
the activities.
I am ready to start the next level! I hope it will be just like this one.