Description of the outstanding experience
Unlike other higher education institutions, the practical component is designed for the last semester of the degree. The UNAD identifies the need for internships to begin in lower semesters so that the teacher in training becomes familiar with real scenarios and all the situations that arise in the classroom, which directly impact the student's learning process.
Before the academic internship route according to the Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Languages program curriculum with an Emphasis in English, he was designated as an On-Site Internship Place in the Internship Seminar. The Starskids Play & Learn English School was the educational institution where the internships were developed.
Previously, each of the teachers in training had to carry out an administrative process with the following steps: Affiliation to ARL and download of the letter of introduction of the place of practice. Without any of these documents, it would not be possible to start the internship. Taking into account that the documentation was in order, we proceeded to be present at the internship site and establish communication with the supervisor or academic leader of the institution. To make known the dynamics and requirements of the UNAD to be approved the practical component is in its two phases on the work plan. In the same way, the teacher in training, to know the educational institution's activities, schedule, teaching staff as well and themes of the institution
The Starskids English school has 4 locations in Bogota. The place where the internships were carried out was at the Suba Headquarters. The student population has an age range between 3 and 12 years old, divided into groups as follows:
- Starters 3 and 4 years old
- Explorers 5 and 6 years old
- Astronauts 7 and 8 years old
- Aliens 9 to 12 years old.
The school follows a Maria Montessori, methodology where the student has the freedom to learn at their own pace and in a learning environment with which they feel identified. The teacher is the one who guides this learning process and allows the student to develop their skills.
Without a doubt, the school recognizes what the children's tastes are and the best way to learn: Playing. For this reason, the dynamics within the classroom are not 100% traditional. These are complemented with alternative and attractive strategies such as the use of ICTs, where interaction allows active participation and collaborative work.
But there is also a space to review grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation through written or oral exercises, in order to develop in your students their language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Reading.
Clearly, this is evidence that the traditional model and alternative models of teaching can be combined. None is better than another, all should be employed according to the needs of the students. Likewise, everything in excess is bad; Spending most of the time playing games creates distractions, and remaining this throughout the class reviewing vocabulary can demotivate students.
Just as the English school made it possible to make visible the methodologies implemented, teachers' skills from their disciplinary and pedagogical knowledge and soft skills; through participant observation. It also made it possible to recognize difficulties and problems that arise in the field of education.
It is there, as teachers in training, that the findings are compiled in field diaries; to be contrasted and analysed with the theoretical components. In the same way, the design of didactic material was carried out to offer a new learning alternative about topics seen and the characteristics of the students.
Learning was meaningful and reciprocal, both for the teaching staff, by identifying some aspects that needed to be reinforced, and for the teacher in training, how it can significantly impact children's learning and respond to their needs.
On a personal note, the experience was enriching. Working with children from a very early age is interesting, in terms of the way in which they assimilate information and reproduce it and also how at older ages there are difficulties in the learning processes, since they begin to present preconceived concepts and shortcomings that children bring from their schools.
If you want to know more about this wonderful experience, turn the next page......
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