Teaching Practice
Procedures of Teaching
It is indeed a challenge to teach in a diverse teaching and learning situations that will measure one’s flexibility. I admit that from making a teaching plan until conducting it to the class was not that easy. However, I did my best to make an effective one that tailored fit the abilities and learning styles of my students.
In the actual teaching, I tried to get the class off to a good start to set the stage for the day’s learning activities. I grabbed their attention through a drill and a collaborative activity for the motivation part of the plan. The activity then served as a bridge to build the lesson upon the students’ prior knowledge of the topic.
For the discussion, I tried my best to make it as interactive as it is though it was hard since the students cannot fluently speak English. Nevertheless, I saw the willingness of the students to learn, to participate and to communicate with their teacher. They involved their selves in the process through oral participation and question and answer method. After the discussion, I gave them group and individual activity to measure or assess how well they understood the lesson.
Time Management and Organizing Activities
Time management and organizing activities are two of the most important aspects and the thread running through almost all aspects of teaching. It optimizes learning opportunities for students. However, at the same time, it is one of the most difficult and challenging parts in teaching.
As to the time management, it was difficult for me because there were parts in my lesson plan that I’ve changed the time allocated to it in the actual teaching because I need to give more time for clarification especially in the delivering of the main topic. There were questions of the students that require a more deep explanation and need to allot more time. Nevertheless, I believe that it went well since I finished all the activities and discussion on time.
As to the organization of my activities, it was planned and systematically organized according to the comment of my mentor in the evaluation sheet. It was organized because I really made sure that I will keep track on the teaching plan I made.
Problem-Solving
In my discussion, I incorporated situational questions or scenarios for the students to solve or answer using the language focus or the main topic I’ve discussed. I used problem solving in my teaching because I believe it is an integral part of the discussion as it exposes the students to real life scenarios and it enhances the critical thinking of the students.
In another facet, as a student-teacher teaching in a new environment with diverse learners, there were problems I encountered especially for my first teaching. However, I believe that most problems are not solved quickly or on the first attempt. In other cases, executing the solution may be the easiest step. Thus, for my next teaching I made sure that all the problems I encountered have solution to effectively deliver the lesson I want to teach to my students.
Classroom Management
Effective classroom management is the most important -- and the most difficult -- skill a teacher has to master. It creates an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. I admit that this is the most challenging responsibilities I have especially that I am still a pre-service teacher.
In my teaching at SMK 3, I encountered difficulties when it comes to classroom management. It was hard especially that it’s my first time to meet my students and I still do not know them well. I do not know their abilities and their learning styles. However, I did my best and tried variety of techniques to keep my students organized, focused, attentive, and academically productive during class. I made sure that I can minimize the behaviors that impede the learning of both individual students and groups of students while maximizing the behaviors that facilitate or enhance their learning.
From my experience, it made me realized that as a teacher, I should have considerable skill in managing the myriad of tasks and situations that occur in the classroom each day. I have to be ready all the time and find solutions and strategies to overcome the challenges I will encounter in my classroom.