PURPOSE OF PRACTICUM
PURPOSE OF PRACTICUM
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:
To enable the student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy.
To encourage the student teachers to practise their English skills.
To allow the student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view.
To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities, and the value of flexibility.
PROSEDURE OF PRACTICUM
The participant of this program have to follow four stages during one month of exchange programme. In this case, the receiving university is given the flexibility to be able to arrange a schedule that include these four stages within 4 weeks of the programme. The schedule are as follows:
Orientation and Class Observation
Teacher Assistant
Working with the resource teacher
The lesson plan consolidation
Teaching in class
Adequate teaching hours
Monitoring and evaluation by the resource teacher
Reflection and learning
Reflection on student performance in general and discussion on lessons learned
Completing blog and reports
Mentors help to check writing
OUTCOME OF PRACTICUM
The SEA-Teacher project aims to give student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia the opportunity to gain teaching experience (practicum) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia. The objectives of this program are:
Direct Teaching Experience, I was able to apply the knowledge and teaching methods that I have learned in the teacher education program in a classroom environment.
Professional Development, this practicum assisted me in developing my teaching skills and gaining a deeper understanding of classroom management, curriculum design, and the needs of a diverse student population.
Cultural Exchange, with this program, I gained a lot of knowledge about cultures from outside my country and international understanding, which made me more culturally competent and aware of diversity in education.
Collaboration, as a pre-service teacher, I had the opportunity to collaborate with local teachers and educational institutions during the practicum. This collaboration can lead to the exchange of ideas, teaching strategies and best practices in education.
Global Perspective, this program became a global perspective for me as a pre-service teacher, it encouraged me to look at education from an international perspective and consider how educational practices differ in different countries.
THE CHALLENGE OF PRACTICUM
While the program offers many benefits, it also has its own challenges for me as a participant. Here are some of the common challenges I faced:
Cultural Adjustment, I had to adapt to a new and unfamiliar culture. This can include differences in language, customs, traditions, and teaching methods.
Language Fluency, English is a second language in the country where I practiced teaching while in my country English is a foreign language.
Nervousness, managing a classroom in a foreign country has been a challenge for me, as I feel students have the big expectations when im manage their class but it turned out to be just my nervousness and the reality isn't like that.
Cross-Cultural Misunderstandings, differences in cultural norms, communication styles, and social expectations were challenges I had to face. To overcome these challenges, I had to find out about the local culture and maintain open and respectful communication with the local people.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
The program was generally positive and offered many benefits to me as a participant like language proficiency, because being in an environment where the English language is spoken daily can lead to significant improvements in my language proficiency, both in terms of speaking and listening skills. This is especially valuable for me when i'm teaching in a foreign language. Then my teaching Skills, The SEA-Teacher Project involves teaching assignments. I can improve my teaching skills, including lesson planning, classroom management, and the ability to adapt to the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. And of course about adaptability, living and teaching practicum in a different country can enhance adaptability and problem-solving skills. I learn to navigate new environments, overcome challenges, and be resourceful in unfamiliar situations. However, the overall experience may vary based on individual circumstances, expectations, and how well the program is organized in a particular region. The program was a valuable initiative that provided an opportunity for me personally to gain international teaching experience, increase cultural awareness, and develop valuable skills. Despite the challenges, the overall impression for me was positive, as I am a person who is open to new experiences and willing to adapt to different environments and cultures. This program can be a transformative and rewarding experience for me as I prepare to become a professional teacher.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENT
Assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the program periodically, considering my experience as a participant of this program, there are some things that I hope to be better in the future, such as ensuring that SEA Teacher Project participants, both home and receiving universities, are well prepared to send and receive students. Then, check the detailed schedule of students during the program at each receiving university to ensure the schedule is well organized. Reappeal to each receiving university to provide a buddy for the SEA Teacher Project students to assist them.