Teaching Practice

Procedures of teaching 

       

   Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, our receiving university hand us over to our assigned school which is Mengraimaharaj Witthayakhom School in Nang Lae District. Mengrai School placed us to the department we should belong. Just like me, because I am a Science Major Student, they put me to the science department. The science department then now arranged teaching schedule for me in your month long stay. They will be in charged for my work and inquiries.  

     Because we arrived at our assigned school on middle of the week, we started our observation on Thursday.  The first week is supposed to be the observation week. But since we started like the end of the week already, on the second week we continued our 

observation and now starting to become a teacher assistant.  

      Basically, our first and second week is all on observation and teaching assistant. That prepared us a lot to know something real inside the class which is unfamiliar with our culture. Also, during observations and assisting, it will help you learn the technicalities and imitate the must have processes during discussions.  

     Third week would be the tough week for it is now the start of the teaching proper. You get to experience the actual teaching of the classes. Of course my teacher is still there with me to translate and expound ideas if the students cannot catch up with your thoughts and language. On this week as well, it is the time where you always make lesson plan for your topics. It is necessary for teachers will also assess you with that. It also actually help 

you have a harmonious flow of the discussion inside the class.  

     On the fourth week, it is the week of evaluation and your last week of teaching. By this time, you are preparing all the necessary requirements needed for you to pass this program and it will be the hardest part because you are now leaving your new found family.  

Time management and organizing activities 

      Because of the school-given schedule, we always come to school at weekday, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm like how teachers schedule are. During weekends, we have free time where we can go anywhere around Chiang Rai and explore the culture.

      I had given 6 classes on the lower level students. I was assigned to Mathayyom 3 with science subjects. Sometimes there are school activities that interrupt the regular class schedule but if there is none, we follow the right schedule. 

      On the first week we just observed classes. By that week it was the countries celebration of the Queen’s Day or some called it the Mother’s Day, where the school director introduced us to the faculty and staff of Mengrai School.  

      On our second week, we keep on doing the observation and taking down of notes of the important things to learn on how to handle students despite the difference. During also this week, a group of students in Mathayyom 5 went for an educational tour. We (me and the other SEA-Teacher) went with them to assist them with their tasks.  

       

This week, which is tough and hectic because of classes is worth a rest because the school gave us a beautiful weekend and toured us at the northern part of Thailand which is also the border of Myanmar. We went to Choui Fong Tea Plantation, Katiliya Mountain Resort, Doi tung,  Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park, Golden triangle, Mae Sai Market and treat us with very tasty meals.  

     

 In the fourth week, and also the last week the school took us to AUA Institution to experience a one of a kind teaching expertise that we can use for future purposes.  It is also the last teaching week which is the saddest part because you are already preparing all the necessary things for the completion of this program.

Students focusing on their educational game.

Problem-solving 

         There will always be problems somewhere knowing that you are battling with diversity and multi-culture difference. And I already foresee the problem on my days of observation. It is the language. Despite how I badly want to share all the knowledge I have in my field of study, I can’t because of the barrier.

      The language of their science here is in Thai. All of their reference is in Thai. Therefore, they have their own language of scientific terms. In my country Philippines, we use the English language in discussing and our references are all in the English language as well. What I did to be able to teach them the way I can and they can understand, is to speak in English in the simplest way possible. I also need to speak slowly and short for them to catch up and comprehend.  I also learned to memorize and understand simple greetings and phrases so that they can connect with me in every discussion. It is also needed to know their numbers so that whenever we solve equations, they can understand me. Here, they do not count numbers 1 to 10 in foreign language but on their own language. And that is how I am dealing with the problem to at least not compromise the learning they will gain in coming to school.  

Classroom management 

      Good environment can affect the performance of the students inside the classroom. And teachers are good factor in making that possible. Classrooms are the environment that students always spend time with. It is where they shape and build their knowledge. That is why, classroom management is a must. 

       In my weeks of teaching, I always appreciate how responsible students are. Before they leave the classes, they always see to it that their classroom must always be clean. I just do a little stuff on the contribution of its cleanliness.  

        In their sitting arrangement, I don’t want them to always stick with their seatmates because they always talk a lot, sometimes they do not listen. So, I always let them switch seats with someone, paired with another classmate or grouped them to create togetherness inside the class. It also made them active and participates. The students also sit by 3 in a table. By that way, it will be spacious for them to write, to sit and to listen without interferences.  

        Classroom management when fully implemented can create a harmonious flow of your classes and of course, fun and exciting!