Hi, everybody!
I'm here to share with you a little bit of my experience as a pre-service English teacher at a public school in Londrina-PR and also some good practices to the teaching of English.
During the two years that I spent as an English teacher at a public school, I faced various situations. Some were problematic and stressful; others were favorable and satisfactory. Focusing on these two last items, I will give two examples of successful initiatives that occurred during this time in my practicum.
(These assertions were made by the students themselves in the last day of class, when we all joined in a circle to discuss issues concerning the classes, the English language and the teacher-student relationship)
Successful practices pointed out by students:
1) It is better to have two or three teachers in the classroom because they are more likely to solve students' doubts quicker and more efficiently than a sole teacher would do;
2) The idea of exploring different themes during the year sounds interesting to students. Instead of working with language coming from a single topic throughout the year, they prefer the variety of issues - one for each bimester. They see the themes as relevants and practical to their daily lives. (Examples of the themes discussed this year: 1st bimester= Songs; 2nd bimester= Healthy and Unhealthy food habits; 3rd bimester= Consequences of Global Warming: Online News; 4th bimester= Risks of Smoking)
3) Not having a book to follow during the year is also positive in their opinion. Students enjoy receiving a handout each class and gluing them in their notebook. They think this way makes it easier to record the content and saves them from carrying the book all around, since the handouts are inside their notebook.
To my way of thinking, hearing students was crucial to close the year. One thing would be myself to present good practices. A totally different thing is to show students' point of view on the topic.
So just to mention it, I agree with their assertions and I also think these three aspects were positive during my teaching experience. However, from the perspective of a 8-classes-per-day-and-40-hours-of-working teacher, these ideas might not be successfully implemented, since the reality in the job market is entirely different from what we as pre-service teachers or students consider 'good practices'.
All in all, I truly believe that this experience was pleasant. It really made me broaden my horizons as a human being and as a professional. I also made me reconsider some views about the teaching at public schools. Although complicated, it can be efficient. Students proved that.
Thank you all and...enjoy your holidays!
By: Ludimila Cordeiro
Once again it is clear the students prefer to deal with technology, like having the content on their laptops for instance, instead of dealing with the same class model. It is new for me they do not like having a book, which I supposed to be a good way to keep them following the subject.
ResponderExcluirMarcos
Hello!
ResponderExcluirIn my experience, with my students, most of them tought that studying the same theme an entire bimester was repetitive. With them, I believe, a book would work out better.
I agree that hear the student is very important. When they have something to say. I would love that my students had come to me and said what they were feeling about the classes, if they were learning and enjoying. It didn't happened.
Anyway, what I've learn and will never forget is that being a teacher is really challenging, but I like being one. A lot.
by Joseane David
My group didn't like much the handouts. They use to say: “Oh, no! Another piece of paper?”. I think that in my group, just like in Josiane’s, a book would be a better choice.
ResponderExcluirAnd I totally agree with Ludi, when she says that hearing students is really important. As we can see, each group is different and has its particularities. So it is essential to hear the students, so that we can know what will work better with them. This way our classes will have more chances to be successful.
Ludi,
ResponderExcluirI found very interesting your comments on the teaching of English.
I was also surprised by the interest of students in different and updated subjects within English classes. This kind of aproach permit the teacher to work of language more broadly way and not only grammatically.
Megg
Hi Lu!
ResponderExcluirWell, I am not surprised students enjoyed variety of topics... Honestly, as students, we would demand the same! On the top of this, teaching grammar only is utterly outdated! (I don`t wonder why students get bored to death...)
Great ideas you had!!!
Wish you all the best!
Maria Mizakami
Hey, you all
ResponderExcluirI agree that each situation has its peculiarities. So what worked out in my class might not have worked in your class. But the bottom line is that students are the receptor of our teaching and their opinion should be taken in consideration - just like I mentioned it and you too.
See you there and then!
Ludi.