Teaching Practice Part 1
It’s been almost two weeks of my going to school observing various teachers’ classes. I have a lot on my mind, so I’m going to share a list of insights connected with what I’m experiencing these days.
1. Most teachers do not follow any rules of methodology
I’ve visited many classes of completely different teachers — young, middle aged, experienced and newcomers. All in all 6 teachers and there is only ONE that makes students’ eyes shine. It makes me concerned, because kids these days do not like studying at all and I thought that the main purpose of a teacher is to make them comfortable with learning something new. Anyway, I have many perfect examples of good teachers at the University, so I think I know how to get it right.
2. I am afraid to teach
I don’t see any reason to be afraid, because I have so much experience working with children of different age, I got several titles of “the best camp counselor” and I have taught English since high school, but, still, I am terrified. First of all, I am afraid that I will be judged by the teaching staff for using unique techniques and teaching “outside the box”, because most of them are very conservative. Secondly, I have no idea what to do with my pronunciation. I LOVE my American style, but both teachers and students might be confused. On the other hand, mixing accents is ridiculous and unprofessional.
3. I want to teach
I love kids. Even the brattiest ones. Honestly, I am so much confused with my future: whether to enter the master’s program (if yes, where), whether to start working right away (if yes, where), whether to work with kids or adults. But there’s one thing I’m sure about — I want to teach!
4. Paperwork is disgusting
We are to make 10 evaluation papers, a psychological analysis, a plan and millions of other papers. I have a question: WHY? I feel so sorry for all the teachers.
5. I am excited!
Even though I’m a bit afraid, I’m looking forward to teaching. I have so many ideas that I’m eager to fulfill and both my 3rd and 5th grades have no choice but to become the happiest students. I will show them that English is worthy of love!
6. It’s difficult to live without a specific plan
To make it clear: we have many points on our to-do lists, but when you don’t have specific deadlines it makes it hard to live. Here comes self-discipline, I’m trying to do some paperwork every day; I read my books and even work on my thesis!!! And of course I have much happening in my union life: events, concerts, rehearsals, contests, volunteering and so on.
7. Here I want to share what I’ve accomplished in DOBRO these two weeks:
- I gave a master class for gifted kids,
- We went to the official concert called ‘Final of the third labor semester’,
- We had a movie night with our newcomers and played board games,
- I visited an event called «Союзный огонек», where we had much fun,
- We had a reporting and election conference where new leaders were elected,
- We started preparing for DOBRO’s 5th birthday and I’m responsible for the script, PR-campaign and also I’m an actor,
- We made a video campaign for DOBRO and here’s the link if you’re interested: https://vk.com/dobrolunn?w=wall-158156235_5483
There are some pictures of happy me (I don’t have any happy pictures from teaching practice):
