Summary and Suggestions
Purposes of Practicum
According to SEAMEO, the SEA Teacher Project or the “Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” is a project that aims to provide opportunity for pre-service student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia to have teaching experiences (practicum) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia. The objectives of the project are as follows:
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To enable pre-service student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy
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To encourage the pre-service student teachers to practice their English skills
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To allow the pre-service student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view
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To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities, and the value of flexibility.
Based from the aims and objectives of the SEA Teacher Project and from my experience, it is indeed a great way for the pre-service teachers to hone their skills especially in teaching and pedagogy, and to provide them knowledge and personal rewards through observations and experience teaching that they may have in the span of the program. Furthermore, as a future English teacher, it is a great avenue for me to enhance my skills in speaking the universal language as a medium of instruction as well as for social purposes. Another important purpose is to gain cultural understanding. From my experience in Indonesia, I realized that language, culture, religion and any differences that we have will never be a hindrance for us to understand, accept and appreciate each other; and that’s one of the best realization and feeling I felt during the program. Lastly, in stream with my future profession, this program measured my flexibility as to handle and teach diverse students, learning situations and opportunities.
Procedures of Practicum
The SEA-Teacher Project or the “Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” has one month duration. For the 7th batch of exchange, it started at 14th January – 9th February 2019 and it is equivalent to 2 credit semester for practicum or teaching experience.
1st week – Orientation and Observation Week
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This week is the welcome program and orientation for all SEA-teachers and also the week wherein student teachers will be deployed to their respective school and must attend classes to observe and to prepare for the following weeks for the demonstration teaching.
2nd week – Teaching Assistant
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This week is where the students must assist their cooperating teacher or mentor in teaching like helping to make the teaching media and in the teaching scenario.
3rd week – Teaching in Classroom
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3rd week is the start of the demonstration teaching of the student-teacher while the cooperating teacher/mentor will evaluate and will give feedback after the teaching.
4th week – Teaching in Classroom
- Reflection and Lesson Learned
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Last week of the month is continuation of teaching and for the final demo wherein the cooperating teacher and a supervisor from the receiving university will evaluate the student-teacher.
Outcomes of Practicum
The outcome of the SEA-Teacher Project is really commendable. The practicum really challenged my capacity to adjust and cope up in a completely different environment with diverse people. The program lasted for a month but I gain international learning and knowledge which leads me towards acceptance and appreciation of different cultural and community perspectives. Moreover, because of the practical immersion, my English speaking skill is enhanced and not just that but there is language acquisition of other languages.
My experience with this program provided me knowledge, skills, and personal rewards that I can use as a future educator. It helped me exposed to a new and diverse situation which truly measures the value of my flexibility. I also gain awareness and adoption of alternative and multi-faceted approaches to learning.
Furthermore, this gratifying experience helps me to step out of my comfort zone and grow personally. The self-development and awareness I undergone enhanced my self-confidence and self-esteem. It measured my abilities not just in teaching but as well as my social poise and maturity. Also, one of the best things I am grateful for is that I learn how to build a friendly and positive environment that really develops a life-long friendship, fostering an appreciation of home and family.
The Challenges of Practicum
One of the major challenges I experienced during the practicum is the communication. Communication becomes difficult for me in situations wherein I can’t communicate well with the students and even teachers because we don’t understand each other’s language. It was certainly difficult for me to interact with them especially in class. However, I can see how the students strive hard to learn and connect with me as their teacher. Consequently, I also look for strategies and techniques I can use to have a smooth communication between me and my students like putting some translation in my presentation. Through that, they can easily grasp the idea but I made sure that it will not eliminate the real purpose of my instruction which is to deliver the knowledge of the English language.
Another challenge I considered is culture shock which I believe is normal. There are ways that things are done in Indonesia that are definitely different from the ways I would do things in my home country, Philippines. However, this challenge leads me to cultural understanding and appreciation which I believe is one of the best things I learned and realized in my journey as a SEA-teacher.
Overall Impression
This “Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” is truly commendable. It promotes international educational and cultural exchange that indeed develops mutual understanding between the Southeast Asian countries. Based from my experience, I find and realize that completely immersing yourself in the education system of a different country is a great way to really experience and understand the people, its traditions, and its culture. It is very clear to see unity despite diversity in this program. Despite the differences of culture, tradition, language, and even religion, you can still see that it is not a hindrance for the Southeast Asian countries to unite, understand, accept and appreciate each other.
Moreover, the SEA-Teacher project is indeed a great arena for developing globally competitive teachers and for promoting global education. The contribution and new experiences that this program has brought to every student teacher is of paramount importance especially to our chosen field of future profession. Lastly, to be a part of the SEA-Teacher Project - Batch 7 is an honor and privilege. I didn’t just gain knowledge, skills, and cultural understanding but I found family.
Suggestion for Future Improvement
As one of the SEA-teachers who experienced this kind of exchange program, I suggest that it will continue to provide opportunities for the future student teacher. I hope that there will be more countries who will participate to work together to improve the quality of education of Southeast Asian countries; to expose in various culture; and to gain broader perspective that could help them to become globally competitive teacher.