Quest 5: Summary & Suggestions

This section discusses my opinion about my experience.

The photo consists of the logos of the University and School that take place in the SEA Teacher experience.

Purposes of Practicum

Vision of the Program: 

The leading organization for enhancing regional understanding and cooperation in education, science and culture for a better quality of life in Southeast Asia. 

Mission of the Program: 

To enhance regional understanding, cooperation and unity of purpose among Member Countries for a better quality of life through: 

• the establishment of networks and partnerships,

• the provision of fora among policy makers and experts, and

• the promotion of sustainable human resource development

Objectives of the Program: 

The SEA-Teacher project 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. Specifically, the aims of the SEA – Teacher Project are: 

1. To enable the student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy.

2. To encourage the student teachers to practice their English skills.

3. To allow the student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view.

4. To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities, and the value of flexibility.

Procedures of Practicum

My first week is the start of my journey as a SEA Teacher candidate. On my first day, My buddies toured me around the University of Bengkulu where I met the University’s Staff, Faculty, and the University’s Administration. During the tour, I got to know where the colleges are located. My buddies and I also visited Lake Inspiration, the students go-to place to unwind. On our next day, I together with my Coordinator and my co-aspirant headed to SD Sint Carolus Elementary School to meet with the school’s administration and students and explored the facilities as well. I was assigned to my Resource Teacher (RT) who is teaching grades three and four in Bahasa Inggris (English) to observe, analyze and reflect upon the teaching strategies in my cooperating school. Here I have noticed about the classroom environment, met the students, and my RT’s teaching style.

In my second week (September 11 - 15) I assisted my RT during the school’s examination and at the same time prepared for the activities for the English Club Celebration for class 3-5. On the 15th of September, I hosted the English Club Celebration which I can say was a success as we are able to implement our plans for the said event. I also got the opportunity to know more of my students and know more about the right activities for each class level.

In my third week (18 - 22), I assist my RT by roaming around in the class whenever there are activities conducted, answering the students' inquiries, and helping the students in pronouncing words. This was also the time where I started to discuss and prepare for my grand demonstration.

In my fourth week (25 - 29), I had my grand demonstration where I implemented my lesson plan to the grade three students. The experience was challenging yet fulfilling as I was able to teach the grade three students despite the language barrier. I also had my post conference to discuss the areas I did great and the areas I need to improve on.

Outcomes of Practicum

My experience has taught me a lot of lessons and one of those is how to interact with people who were raised with different values, beliefs, and culture. I learned how to be more flexible when it comes to dealing with diversity. As for my teaching experience, it taught me how to get  to know my students better by knowing their needs and/or interests so that I can apply it in my classroom in order for them to relate the topic I am discussing in their personal life. In addition, the practicum helped me to become more expressive especially when talking to lower year students because they feel more comfortable and more engaged when talking to me

The Challenges of Practicum

Challenges I experienced are: 

1. Language barrier - In my experience most of the people I met are not usually English speakers therefore my challenge here was the language barrier especially when communicating with the students. 

2. Classroom management - As a foreign teacher teaching in a non-English speaking classroom, I have to be creative in disciplining the students. But when faced in such a situation, I make sure that my voice is loud to get their attention and use more body language. If that does not work, I use their chants such as 1 clap, 2 clap or chants that they are familiar with.

Overall Impression

It was such an honor to be part of the SEA Teacher Program. Applying for the SEA Teacher Program helps me get to know myself better. In addition, it has opened me to horizons and ideas on how to become an effective educator. From a professional point of view, I believe I now have a thorough understanding of how to meet the needs of my students regardless of their diversities. Additionally, I have also established professional relationships with my colleagues. In a personal point of view, applying in the program has improved my communication skills, my confidence, and problem-solving and decision making skills. Lastly, I feel more positive about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Suggestions for Future Improvement

The following are my suggestions for the following batch:

1. I suggest that there will be an allotted time for the exchange students to study the local language. 

2. For teaching, I suggest that the school must focus on training the students to teach in the classroom before the actual Grand Demonstration. Maybe the resource teacher can assign the foreign student-teacher to do a few parts of the lesson plan such as motivation or discussion of the topic for the student to get used to teaching and prepare during the actual demonstration.