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This last part of the journey is enjoyable but it makes me think in all my personal growth that I have acquired along this year.  At first I felt a little bit lost but then, when the interviews, observations and classes began, my impression changed radically. Everything took its course and I really enjoyed every class and every moment shared in that institution.

It is  important to take in mind that every class needs a previous preparation, so for next student teachers I must say that  every lesson plan needs time, not only to prepare the correct materials to be applied with our students but to think on every detail is vital.

Another thing to highlight for next student teachers is that it is very important to speak in English during the whole class. Sometimes I felt children did not understand me so I spoke to them in Spanish. Then after some recommendations I realized how important it is applying L2 in combination with the correct scaffolding strategy, the use of our body language and the materials and resources. Children understand perfectly and Spanish is not necessary during the class.

Jimena Vicens

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Hello guys!

Well, I totally agree with what Jimena said. For future student teachers, don't go crazy. First, read the proposed material in detail and organize it. When you start making your plans, think about one thing: planning is ideal, children are not. That's why you should always keep extra activities in mind.

Remember, very young children learn by playing, all activities have to be based on that premise. Invent, imagine and create materials. Use the observation classes to see what catches their attention and work with that.

Some very important things:
If you can buy a tripod to record your classes, it will be of great help so you don't have to worry about whether or not the class was recorded.
If you can get a "smock", the way children see you changes.
Use puppets, dolls, books and songs.
Use the resource of surprise when presenting the materials.

And I emphasize what Jimena said that it is very important to speak English throughout the class. Children understand you!

Agus Starnari

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Good morning!

I cannot believe yet how fast this year is leaving. I remember at the beginning of the year how anxious and worried I felt when I couldn’t find the institution to make the Practicum. So I recommend to those students that have to do the practicum next year, that it is important to look for the potential institution as soon as possible.

The most challenging part of the practicum for me was to perform the lesson plans. At first it used to take me many days, but later I gained confidence and I could do it faster. As well as Jime Vicens suggests, it is important to pay special attention to plan your classes and preparing engaging materials with early students.

Regards,

Jimena Kurbán

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Hello everyone!

I knew that this year of practice will be very useful (as I do not work as a teacher), but I didn't know how important and how much impact they would have on me. I honestly was nervous and scared! I had no idea how I would create activities for a group of children by myself, but I am so glad I did it now. I enjoyed it so much!

I learned a lot, especially while observing and experiencing the class, bearing in mind what I was learning about children and applying it to the plannings and my development as a teacher.

Also, I think is important to know that what you think might not work as you expected. Every class is different, and every child too of course, so an open mind and an ability to adapt and change whenever needed is key.

I made a lot of reflections on my teaching and I know what I should do for the next experiences. Always analysing and reflecting on our practice is crucial.

I also agree with the girls, I used a lot of Spanish that was not necessary.
Cheers!

Lucía Saenz

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Hello!!

We´ve reached to the last part of the journey... wow! Personally, it was very fruitful. I will not deny the difficult it takes to sit and plan every lesson, but it worthies. I enjoyed this course very much since I discovered some aspects I was not really aware I had. This journey was challenging, indeed! As I do not have children of my own or nephews, there were some features about very young children I did not know, certainly. However, I really took pleasure in discovering them. Now I can understand the development stages children go through. I can comprehend why they do something or why they do not do other thing. Children´s mind is incredible, I will never get enough exploring it.

Additionally, I was able to reflect on the experiences I had during the practices and the weak points I found will definitely help me to improve. I usually reflect on the lessons I deliver, but maybe I was not really able to see the weak points I found during the practices.

For future students taking this course, I would like to suggest them most importantly, to enjoy this journey. Secondly, to plan every lesson consciously. To devote time doing them. As Jime Kurban says, at the beginning it takes days to outline a lesson, however as the time goes by, you may gain confidence and design them faster. Moreover, I would suggest to take some moments (an hour or more) after you finish designing one lesson, if you want to start with another one. Your mind must be clear, otherwise you might not be able to consciously develop want you aim to develop in the lesson.

Moreover, I would advise future students to dive into children´s world and turn into one of them during the lesson (always keeping your authority as a student-teacher). This is amazing, trust me. When recording the lessons, I suggest to put the cell phone (or the devise you will use for the recording), leaning on something, not that somebody else records you. You/somebody else holding the cell phone may have different involuntary hand movements, and the images may be moved.

All in all, this is an experience that worthies the effort and the stumbling is part of it. Relax, take your time to think want you are asked to design and enjoy the trip!!!

Sabrina Setien

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Hello you all!

During this year I could learn how meaningful is to observe children to detect what they like, what is a challenge for them and what they enjoy doing the most.

Playing is key to learn; the more activities you introduce by playing, the better results you will have. Please do not expect to have the best class, those classes simply do not exist. However, you can take any opportunity to teach and plant a little seed to grow in children. Exploit the resources you have, and be creative. Children will love whatever you present with passion and love.
Lastly, the tone of your voice will help get children engaged, speacially when singing, telling a story or introducing an activity. Also, make sure to watch and enjoy the process, reflect on the things that worked for the group and the ones that did not.  It takes time and dedication to plan in advance, but once you constantly do it, the easier the classes flow.

My best,

Luisina Iriarte.

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The year is coming to its end, and looking back so many things happened! Now that I can see it retrospectively, I realize it was a long, hard year, but very positive and full of new learnings.

Although I have been working with young children for years, being in a classroom at school is completely different. You create a bond with the group and become a part of it, and a part of the institution. That means an immense responsibility.

One of the hardest parts of the practicum is to keep updated handing in the lesson plans. That takes a great amount of time and creativity, at least to me.

Then when you get to the class, I would advise you to be ready to have fun, get dirty and enjoy. if you can kneel and play with the children, get involved with them, see the world trough their eyes, they will probably get engaged. Every group is different, and I believe that the analysis of the context of each institution is fundamental to think a bout the development of lessons and the materials.

I felt welcomed and respected in the institution, they gave me a place wasn´t expecting and that was very satisfying. That also made me work hard to be up to the standards of a public kindergarten. Although the school doesn´t have a second language in its curriculum, the headmistress is still asking me if I would like to present a proposal to the director of education to add workshops for next year.

All in all,  the practicum really takes a big effort while doing it, but a big source of knowledge, fun and opportunities.

Good luck and enjoy!
Lucia Marachli

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I can describe this year by comparing it with a roller coaster, not only for this subject but in general. Many times I felt overwhelmed. I can not believe that we are arriving at the end of this journey and that I could enjoy it at last. It was hard work and I do not remember such an amount of hours sitting on my desk struggling to do everything.. I do not feel that I can give any advice because I think that each of us lives his/her own experience.  I just want to recommend you to be calm and keep on working. Nothing is impossible and if I could do it you will be able to do it too. Just go step by step and you will succeed !!!

Vanesa Sorgente

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Hi group!
I think that it is important to do all the administrative procedures as soon as possible and not waste time in that. As my partners also said, I agree too that looking for an institution quickly helps a lot, because then you don't have to worry about the time is left to finish the practicum.
The most important advice: enjoy it and don't worry so much. If you do all your planifications, then everything will flow naturally and it will be easier than it seems.
Cheers, Patri Reboredo

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Personally, I had a great experience throughout this course. Since I got the first clues of how I should procede with my practicum, I didn't waste time and I contacted the school immediately. I was able to observe before the Winter Holidays, and that allowed me to complete all the reports and start my practicum in August, with plenty of time.  I advice you trying to do the same, if it's possible for you. The end of the year makes us crazy.
Regarding the lesson plans, it was enjoyable making them, and they really ordered my lessons. I advice you to plan imagining what's natural for yourself, and try to find what kind of teacher you really are. In this way, you will probably achieve better results than trying to make things that are "inimaginable".

It was a beautiful course,
thanks so much to you all
Luciana Berardozzi.

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As my mates have said, this experience was so fantastic and enriching. At first, I was a bit confused since we started this subject with readings that guide us about how the practicum will be. But Then, when I had to start with it, I really realized how important these readings were. I think now that I am quieter than at the beginning, how important was the accompaniment of Ceci as our teacher.

The practicum was a before and an after in my academic preparation, because I could live this new experience as a new starting in my life. Sharing this time with these little kids was so emotional to me. Preparing the classes with didactic activities, games, songs, searches and so on during 2 months, it was a big challenge.

The most important to me are the lesson plans. They give us certainty at the moment to stay in front of the class. They were all in my practice. I felt more confident and secure with them. I have learnt so much from the kids, from the co-formator teacher and about myself. The time that you invest during this experience is all learning. I am very grateful for this.

I feel that something inside me has changed and I will wait for the next experience.

Hugs!

Vale

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My personal experience - Matías Llauquen

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My personal experience - Matías Llauquen

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Hi!!!

Well, I don't know where to begin. At first, you may feel like you are lost. But don't worry! I think it is just the pressure or the nerves of facing a new experience, especially if it is your first time at formal teaching as it was my case.

As you start reading the material, you will notice that is not as difficult as it was at first and you will know how to organise yourself.

The first observations help you to know more about your students and what kind of approaches should you choose. When it's time to be the head teacher's assistant, you  will gain a bit more of confidence and with each class you will feel better.

Playful activities and humour are other aspects I consider essential, they make lessons enjoyable for everyone and meaningful. Furthermore, I also emphasize what my classmates said about talking in English, it is not necessary to repeat in Spanish if you make good gestures, sounds or pointing. Flashcards are also helpful materials.

Hope my suggestions help!

Mati

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As many of my mates mention, this is a path of great growth in which there are often difficulties or doubts. In my case, it was essential to always read the experience of my colleagues, who, like me, were following the same path.
Throughout my practicum I have learned the importance of scaffolding. The importance of organisation and especially the importance of planning our classes in a meaningful context and providing meaningful activities that foster active involvement and play. Teaching L2 at an early age allowed me to explore the language more freely and connect with children in a playful way.
Although my journey as a student-teacher of L2 of very young children has just begun, I can say that it is a journey in which I have had many mixed sensations and emotions. At first, I felt a lot of fear and lack of confidence in myself. I felt that I was not going to be able to maintain the attention and motivation of such young children.

When I finally had the opportunity to lead a class, I discovered that my connection with children flows naturally and that the more I allow myself to enjoy the moment, the more they enjoy it and the more engaged they are as well.
My advice for student teachers is to keep an organized schedule, to keep special attention to lesson planning, to trust yourselves and enjoy the ride!

Best regards,

Carolina Bisogno

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Hi!
I am very happy for having achieved to this part of the year. I have learnt a lot during the course of the year. I know I will continue learnign, this is just the beginning of the journey.
The first thing that comes to my mind is motivation and dedication. After this practicum experience, I feel more confident in my practice and the material I prepare for my classes .

Moreover, I learned a lot about being a professional, organizing my schedule .

The piece of advice I can give for future teacher student is that they have to prepare their lessons in advance. It is very important to bare in mind that we do not have to be afraid of making mistakes, but learn from them. Take risks and be creative!

Carina Soto

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I had enjoyed a lot this year. I don´t have experience in english classes, so when I had to manage this, it was a big challenge. I think I am now more prepared but I have so much to learn as well. I understand now how to prepare a lesson plan and how to carry a class and manage the timetable and the different activities in order to get children involved and how to mix the activities and methods to encourge and motivate them.
I believe all of you can do it and may have a wonderful experience, difficult in some ways , but challeging and enrichful, transiting our teaching trainning path.
Best!
Fiorella Biscay

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I`ve learnt a lot ! mostly I`ve learnt to enjoy classes through teaching,it was challenging and at the beggining of the year I was afraid of almost everything! if children would not like the activies I had prepared. After every class I realized that children learn by playing, and I should had fun too,in order to transmit that joy.
I`m really thankful of my tutor for her guidence, patience and kindness, she`s helped me to rethink strategies in order to develop autonomy, so do not be discouraged if you have to make some adjustments, It will be for the better!

Hugs, Ivi

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If there is one a advice I can give anyone taking this course is to be very organised! You could have a similar schedule as mine and end your practices almost with the course and everything piles up. I must admit I have been collapsed for the past weeks...
As for the experience in itself, I would recommend you enjoy the whole path. Some days will be very enriching and you will feel you did an amazing job. However, there might me days when you feel that the whole process is noises. Either because you feel you failed planning and executing that plan or because the kids were not engaging. All this experiences are part of the learning process.
Working with young kids is demanding sometimes. But every smile and every hug is worth the while. And when you feel that it is all worthless, remember those moments when you helped each one of your students overcome an obstacle.

Maria Algorta

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Hello everyone, well, I am going to talk about my experience, I must admit that the first classes I felt nervous and  afraid of making mistakes,.I also felt afraid of not being able to fulfill what was expected from me, afraid that the children would not understand me, and the truth is that these factors made me feel insecure. But as I spent hours inside the class, I started to feel quieter and  very comfortable with them and I perceived the same from their part. All the practice helped me realize that teaching and sharing with the students is what I like. It was a very nice experience to be able to share with the children. As a piece of advice I would tell new students to take it easy, to plan always keeping in mind that young children learn through games, songs, and that they are very tender, and to enjoy what they do.
Hugs.
Sambueza, Norma

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Important tips for future trainees: By Pardiño Kathe. 

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Important tips for future trainees: By Pardiño Kathe. 

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Prepare the lessons with time, to be able to correct if necessary, as the days go by our mind is filled with fabulous ideas and when we read what we have already done we think how could I put that jejej.
- Control the time of the class, it is essential to control it to know the rhythm of the students and yours too.
- The transition between one activity and another, it is essential to inform the students that one activity is over and another will begin, relate the previous part to the next.
- Speak in English as much of the time as possible, using body language helps a lot so that the students understand the instructions.
- Respect routines, e.g. welcome and farewell songs. This reassures students and allows them to be informed, e.g. "put away" because "it's time to go home".
- Using scaffolding strategies, I found it very helpful to use songs to ask for silence, also materials such as Philip (the puppet) say that.... listen to the teacher, another and very important thing to highlight is to constantly encourage the students, this helps them to strengthen their self-esteem, you can do it, you did great, I love it, very good.

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There were days when I felt terrible doing my training, and others when I loved my class so much that I felt on cloud nine, very happy and satisfied with what I had achived. Truly a very beautiful journey, I did it with great enthusiasm, with much love and dedication for the students, for me and for all the rest who are part of all this, tutors, families.  I am deeply grateful for the support and dedication of this teacher; she is a great example to follow for her meticulous work in every subject she teaches. I am very proud to know that people like her are shaping my professional development.
The children in Kinder 2 were always very respectful and kind . They were very comfortable with the classes, you can see in their faces those smiles that filled my heart with tenderness, every class they made beautiful comments such as: "a treasure hunt, that's amazing", This is an art class in the institute and Dome missed it today because he didn't come", "I love these animals. I love these animals; I see them and they look real" (these were the colorful pictures I had printed). "Philip is the best" (the puppet) "let's decorate cupcakes " a lot of excitement in every step I took, I take the best memory of having enjoyed both planning the class, and having dictated it as I wanted or better than I thought at times. The influence of the comments in the teacher's feedback helped me a lot to recognize my mistakes, work on them and look for solutions.

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I am amused of how much I learnt this year. Even though I have experience as a teacher, I never taught very young learners. It is amazing to  see things from their perspective, and to guide their learning.

We need to be very creative in terms of varying our resources and activities in order to have children engaged the whole lesson. We must create imaginary worlds that guide our lessons meaningfully, and use our bodies to express ourselves and to communicate.

One of the things that blew my mind is that children are capable of understanding what we say in English if we use simple stuctures. Moreover, they remember vocabulary.

My advice would be that we need to be relaxed and ready to move, sing, dance and play before going to the classroom. It sounds difficult, but after the first lesson it gets easier.

I am thankful for this course and how it made me realise I am ready to teach young learners, and enjoy it.

Cami Cruz.

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I have just finished a period in which the main aim is to blend the theory and practise to design different activities that put all together in a coherent way, produces a plan that ends in an enjoyable lesson. That final product should transform a part of learners’ life into a positive learning. So, we needed to be very careful and neat not only during this period but also to learn from our doing and continue in that way from now on.

It has been a very hard work for me but I do not grumble about it. On the contrary, It made me think carefully before every activity I was going to design trying to find the reasons, based on theory, that justify what I pretended learners to do.

I learnt more than I thought. For example, I realised that sometimes I used expressions that young learners are not cognitively prepared to understand. In a regular class, when I work alone, I would not have noticed it and I would have continued committing the same mistake.

I changed my mind and noticed that ,the time it takes to make a piece of art is not wasted but an enjoyable experience for children, and involving positive emotions into learning process makes it more effective. So next time I encounter with a boring activity I will know how to transform it and make it more productive.

I felt very worry and overwhelmed during the practise but now that it has come to the end I feel satisfied and it will help me for all the next classes I teach.

Childhood is a period in which every situation last for lifetime so I hope any of us could leave memorable experiences on every young learner. It has been for me a time which meant an improvement for my career and I bet for other challenges like this.
Best wishes,
Griselda Beatriz Arfenoni.