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Photo in Valencia, Spain.
Learning Conclusions
Learning Conclusions
Despite not being advised to do so, incorporating Spanish into my Infantil lessons changed my attitude and my experience teaching in Spain tremendously. Although I didn't plan to speak much Spanish in my English classsrooms, I initially needed to do so to establish order in my classrooms and connect with my students. I figured if the school trusted me to teach entire classes of toddlers alone, I should be able to do it in the way that works best for me - and this included speaking a bit of Spanish.
Despite not being advised to do so, incorporating Spanish into my Infantil lessons changed my attitude and my experience teaching in Spain tremendously. Although I didn't plan to speak much Spanish in my English classsrooms, I initially needed to do so to establish order in my classrooms and connect with my students. I figured if the school trusted me to teach entire classes of toddlers alone, I should be able to do it in the way that works best for me - and this included speaking a bit of Spanish.
I am grateful for my Spanish degree because although Spanish fluency was not a requirement for the auxiliar application, speaking Spanish with my toddler students was crucial for my work at this school. Not only did it improve my student's comprehension, but it helped me become much more confident in front of my students and thus grow as an English teacher.
I am grateful for my Spanish degree because although Spanish fluency was not a requirement for the auxiliar application, speaking Spanish with my toddler students was crucial for my work at this school. Not only did it improve my student's comprehension, but it helped me become much more confident in front of my students and thus grow as an English teacher.
Photo of a January sunset behind 25 de April Bridge in Lisbon, Portugal.
Infantil Takeaways
Infantil Takeaways
By the end of the year (or, in this case, when COVID-19 happened) my preschool and kindergarten students knew vocabulary from the following units: colors, numbers 1-20, weather, clothing, animals, food, house, family, occupations, sports, calendar, and holidays. They also learned simple phrases like "My name is..." and basic greetings like "Good morning", "Goodbye", "How are you", "I'm fine, thank you", "I missed you" and "I love you". In March, almost every student was able to say how they felt on that given day by saying something like "Today I am (happy, sad, wonderful, angry, excited, so-so, etc.)"
By the end of the year (or, in this case, when COVID-19 happened) my preschool and kindergarten students knew vocabulary from the following units: colors, numbers 1-20, weather, clothing, animals, food, house, family, occupations, sports, calendar, and holidays. They also learned simple phrases like "My name is..." and basic greetings like "Good morning", "Goodbye", "How are you", "I'm fine, thank you", "I missed you" and "I love you". In March, almost every student was able to say how they felt on that given day by saying something like "Today I am (happy, sad, wonderful, angry, excited, so-so, etc.)"
Photo of kindergarten student handing me cards she cleaned up for the class at Instituto Tirso de Molina, Legazpi.
Teaching Conclusions
Teaching Conclusions
Although I have adapted and learned a great deal about classroom management since the beginning of October, it was the hardest part of my teaching experience. Learning how to be an English teacher for the first time while learning how to manage such young kids for the first time was mentally and physically exhausting. But once I created relationships with my students after implementing Spanish in the classroom, I began to love my job. My students showered me with never-ending affection and ranted to me in Spanish about how much they love me - they can't do this in English. With that language barrier, I would never have been able to have these sweet and supplemental conversations that make teaching the special career that it is!
Although I have adapted and learned a great deal about classroom management since the beginning of October, it was the hardest part of my teaching experience. Learning how to be an English teacher for the first time while learning how to manage such young kids for the first time was mentally and physically exhausting. But once I created relationships with my students after implementing Spanish in the classroom, I began to love my job. My students showered me with never-ending affection and ranted to me in Spanish about how much they love me - they can't do this in English. With that language barrier, I would never have been able to have these sweet and supplemental conversations that make teaching the special career that it is!
Despite battling a rough beginning, I ended up feeling very blessed to have the opportunity to teach toddlers. Teaching myself how to teach such young students in a foreign country helped me grow as a learner, teacher, young adult, friend, and co-worker. Instead of dreading my Mondays and Tuesdays, I looked forward to seeing my toddler students because I felt much less stressed and very loved by them all. By November, I was leaving each of my preschool and kindergarten classrooms with a large smile on my face. I will forever be grateful for these students for changing my opinion on working with such young children. I miss teaching them dearly!
Despite battling a rough beginning, I ended up feeling very blessed to have the opportunity to teach toddlers. Teaching myself how to teach such young students in a foreign country helped me grow as a learner, teacher, young adult, friend, and co-worker. Instead of dreading my Mondays and Tuesdays, I looked forward to seeing my toddler students because I felt much less stressed and very loved by them all. By November, I was leaving each of my preschool and kindergarten classrooms with a large smile on my face. I will forever be grateful for these students for changing my opinion on working with such young children. I miss teaching them dearly!
Photo of a Kindergarten teacher's bag at Instituto Tirso de Molina, Legazpi.
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