This last year of the degree represents the final step towards becoming real teachers. Therefore, there is more pressure into learning everything and as much as possible before stepping into a real classroom. This is why, practicums are the opportunity to learn from the real context of a real classroom.

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This last practicum V, has been such an amazing and inspiring experience, not only because it is one of the longest that we have carried out, but because it is related with the English minor.

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For me, this it has been really important because being a teacher is difficult enough without the fact of adding a foreign language. It is definitely a challenge, but everything is possible with dedication, patience and especially, motivation.

I was placed in a school from Cerdanyola del Vallès, and I could not be more delighted with the experience and atmosphere there. I was able to observe very hard-working teachers, motivated and passionate about their jobs. In practicum IV, I was able to bond with the students, to discover their strengths and detect their weaknesses and how to deal with 6th graders, which is something that I had never experienced.

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Then, in Practicum V I was still in contact with them and 5th grade as well. I realized of the many possibilities and advantages that superior cycle can present. Of course, the students’ level of English influences a lot. From my experience, these students were motivated into learning English, which comes from the work and passion of the English teacher. This made me realize of how important is to transmit that enthusiasm and interest to the kids, so that they will also feel encouraged to learn.

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Also, I was able to see that regular English classes are the least productive and fruitful. Students have a bias with English classes that make them feel less motivated because of the way is commonly seen. In other words, regular classes in which the textbook is the main protagonist are the most boring for them. And, even though the content worked is important and relevant for their learning, students will not be paying attention nor learning as much as we wanted them to.

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On the other hand, I have seen how kids actually learn more when they do Science and half-class English time. To start with, the way this school approaches Science is fantastic in my opinion. Kids learn English without noticing that they are doing English, they are just more focused on a more real and appealing content while doing English. Therefore, they feel that English is a mean of communication and not a target. They feel freer when speaking or expressing because they do not have the sensation that their English is being tested because is the objective of the class. Locating the focus on the content, although it is actually a dual-focus, makes them feel more relaxed, engaged and consequently, they end up using more English and improving their fluency rather than accuracy.

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Also, when kids do the half-class English time, they are used to carry out more practical and oral activities. In these classes they do not follow a textbook, but they usually play games, watch videos, speak among them, make more practical exercises, etc. The relationship with English is totally different in these classes if we compare them with the regular ones. Students enjoy playing English games and speaking. It is actually possible to see them engaged and motivated and making the effort to speak in English.

In conclusion, I have learnt that one of the most important things as an English teacher besides being passionate about it and transmit it to the kids, is the way to bring English to class. I strongly feel that it is very important to pay attention and to work on the relationship that students develop with the language. They have to see it as something purposeful, fun, motivating… It is essential. Otherwise, students will come to class and they will not learn.

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Besides what I have learnt from the school and from observing the students and the classes, I have also learnt from the seminars. I believe this profession requires lots of hard-work, motivation, creativity and communication. Communication is a key point for everything. That means, talking with your students, with your colleagues, etc. And, this is exactly what we have done in the seminars. It is so helpful to have other teachers or colleagues willing to listen to you and provide you with their ideas, opinions, resources… Consequently, teamwork is necessary for this profession. Listening to others’ experiences can definitely help you a lot.

I really appreciate all the advice given by my classmates. I have discovered new amazing resources that I will surely use in the future, I have listened to others’ experiences that have opened my eyes in some ways and made me feel more prepared in some situations with students, planning, meetings, etc. I found it very helpful.

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All in all, this practicum has reached my expectations and fulfilled my objectives. Now I feel more prepared to be an English teacher with a big repertoire of resources to use in my classroom.