Summary and Suggestions

Purposes of Practicum 

Referring to the objectives of the SEA-Teacher Program, the SEA Teacher Program aims to provide teaching experience abroad to prospective teachers from various universities in Southeast Asia. The program also aims to improve the quality of education in Southeast Asia.

Objectives of the SEA Teacher Program:

1. To provide teaching experience in schools in other Southeast Asian countries.

2. To develop the skills and experience of prospective teachers.

3. To strengthen cooperation and cultural understanding in Southeast Asia.

4. To provide participants with rich cross-cultural experiences.

5. To provide international exposure to students

Furthermore, I have gained new insights and goals after participating in this activity, including:

1. Gaining a deeper understanding of teaching methods in the Philippines as a future reference.

2. Practicing English language instruction and attempting to understand the world of children.

3. Enhancing my knowledge of teaching methods and mastering subject matter.

4. Developing a passion for continuous learning, particularly by comparing with other countries, to provide innovative solutions in the future.

Procedures of Practicum

Prosedur praktikum yang kami terima di USLS-IS meliputi: 

1. Welcoming Ceremony

2. Orientation 

3. Teaching Internships 

4. Observation of Class

5. Observation for Math Class in University 

6. Teaching Demonstration

7. Cultural Trip 

week 1

Welcoming Ceremony than introduction to the school environment and orientation conducted by both the school and USLS Campus 

Welcoming Ceremony and Orientation 

week 3&4

Observation for Math Class in University -Practice teaching and reflection from cooperating teacher ,followed by cultural trip

Math University Class-Teaching Demo-Cultural Trips

Outcomes of Practicum

At the end of the SEA-Teacher Program, it is expected that participants will achieve the following outcomes:

1. Improved English language skill.

2. Developed teaching skills.

3. Enhanced classroom management skills.

4. Expanded their perspectives on the outside world.

and many more

The Challenges of Practicum 

During running the SEA-Teacher program, i encountered several challenges. These challenges included:

1. Time Management in Teaching 

The difference in teaching allocation was a significant challenge for me. In my home country, Indonesia, we typically teach for at least 80 minutes in elementary school. Therefore, I had to adjust and accelerate the learning process when teaching in the Philippines. However, this experience provided me with valuable insight.

2. Language 

Language presented an additional obstacle in my learning experience. Despite utilizing English, which is a foreign language in my native country, instructing mathematics in English proved to be a significant challenge. Nevertheless, this experience provided a valuable learning opportunity. Occasionally, I encountered unfamiliar terminology and intermittent Tagalog phrases, which necessitated more critical thinking to decipher sentences.

3. Culture

Cultural differences presented the last challenge I encountered during this program. Embracing these differences required flexibility and a willingness to learn, but the outcome was invaluable and enriched my knowledge

Overall Impression

Throughout my participation in the program, I gained numerous impressions. These impressions include:

1. The SEA-Teacher Program helped me improve my English language skills. During the program, I consistently used English in my daily activities, including at school, shopping, and communicating with people throughout the country. I believe that these factors significantly contributed to enhancing my English language proficiency, particularly in conversation and comprehension.

2. The SEA-Teacher Program served as a platform for me to enhance my teaching pedagogy. Throughout the program, I observed significant differences in the education systems between the two countries, providing me with valuable insights. Additionally, my cooperating teacher offered constructive advice and guidance throughout the learning process.

3. The SEA-Teacher Program became a venue for me to form a new family. The program allowed me to build a new family, thanks to the friendly and supportive education professors who managed the SEA-Teacher program at USLS. We often shared meals together, and the professors treated us like their own children, creating a harmonious relationship between professors and students. This closeness evoked strong emotions in me.

In summary, I am extremely grateful to have participated in this program. Even as I write this, I feel an overwhelming sense of longing for the people I met, especially Doc. Sheilla, Doc Carl, and Sir Darwin. I hope to visit again in the future, even if only for a brief trip, to alleviate my longing

Suggestions for Future Improvement 

I have several suggestions for future improvements:

1. Extension of program duration: This program is highly beneficial for both parties, but the short duration makes it less impactful in enhancing teaching skills and pedagogy. Students only have a limited time to teach.

2. Improved communication between universities: Communication between the two universities should be well-established before the program begins. During my time in the Philippines, the school was preparing for exams, which reduced my teaching schedule from four times to twice due to time constraints. The timing of the student's deployment should be carefully considered.

3. Expansion of the program: To foster harmonious relationships and strengthen family ties among teachers in Southeast Asia, I hope this program will expand to include all ASEAN member countries. Currently, only Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are actively participating in this program.It would be even better if one university could host 2-3 other universities simultaneously, allowing students to gain more insights into the education systems of each country.