Teaching Practice
PROCEDURES OF TEACHING
Planning and preparing for the teaching practicum requires a systematic process. It starts from having the sources of learning, which is the Cambridge Learner’s book that serves as a guide to designing the learning plan and crafting authentic assessments to successfully carry out the teaching and learning process as a whole. Afterward, the creation of a short-term plan follows. This comprises framework references or the learning objectives, success criteria, and activities. Beyond that, successful language learning is achieved with the integration of the macro-skills into students’ activities. This involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing activities. Since Sekolah Harapan Prestasi focuses on the literacy of the students, targeting the foundational skills is a beneficial way to improve students’ literacy.
During the teaching process, the class starts with a prayer, greetings, and checking of students’ attendance. This is an integral part of teaching procedures; it is necessary that students feel that they are cared for beyond their academic endeavors and this will be achieved through building friendly communication and establishing a conducive environment. Following that is establishing the lesson through fun and engaging activities. 21st-century learners attract their attention when they are learning with exciting activities. Students need to increase their intrinsic motivation to willingly learn and participate during the learning process and will also realize the importance of the lesson to their daily living and future careers.
Having a short-term plan for the teaching process allows educators to ensure that the presentation of the lesson will be more effective and efficient as it follows the structure and curriculum that must be considered. The execution must be well-planned from the very beginning until the end of the lesson. Therefore, meaningful and purposeful learning will occur.
TIME MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES
Effective time management is important to teachers because due to the pile of work and lesson plans that are needed to accomplish, speed and accuracy should work as one. Being productive during the working hours is an opportunity to make the lesson planning more effective. This has a positive impact on the teaching and learning process as a whole. In addition, accomplishing tasks on time enables educators to display a high sense of professionalism to be a good example for the students.
On the other hand, during class hours, teachers have a fixed amount of time, and it is necessary to ensure that they cover all of the things that need to be done to successfully meet the learning goals for the students. In this case, balancing the presentation of lessons and activities for the students must be maximized by the educators so that proper time management will be carried out. All of the essential content should be addressed to the students and they must given sufficient time to absorb and process all of the information gathered. The students do not need to be exposed to a variety of information for a longer time, they need a comprehensive yet short discussion that leaves a meaningful lesson for them. Once this is executed well, the assessment process will go smoothly and will be accomplished by the students in the given time for them, resulting in academic success. Undeniably, being SMART in lesson planning is important. The lesson plan should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
In managing a diversified classroom, it requires patience, passion, and a strong desire to make a difference. Once a teacher enters a classroom, he/she will meet different students who come from different families, religions, races, ethnicities, beliefs, languages, and economic statuses. Teachers need to uphold inclusivity so that students will feel included and valued regardless of their differences. Teachers must possess cultural sensitivity because having an awareness of diverse cultures will help them avoid prejudice and negative stereotypes. We all know that in every educational institution, we advocate for equality. Teachers must be an instrument to eliminate all forms of discrimination and encourage students to embrace and understand every cultural identity to have a safe environment for learning. Further, a teacher must be approachable and empathetic, especially when dealing with students' emotional differences. They also have different problems not just in academics, but also personal or family problems that truly affect their learning process and whole self. Moreover, the teacher must be open-minded, because in a diversified classroom, it is expected that every student has different perspectives and beliefs in life.
PROBLEM SOLVING WHILE TEACHING AND STAYING IN THE DESIGNATED SCHOOL
Language Barrier is the most common problem in the global context. Having a different first language in a diversified classroom is a great challenge for a teacher, but with cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding, communication can still succeed. Establishing to the class the rules to be imposed is beneficial as it gives educators the authority to govern the students. For instance, implementing an English-only policy helps eliminate the detrimental effect of the language barrier. This helps avoid misunderstanding and exclusion during the teaching and learning process.
In a month of staying in Indonesia, the language barrier hinders me from communicating effectively. It is indeed inevitable when traveling abroad. However, as a student teacher with sufficient knowledge, it is essential to display respect for other people. Being kind and understanding becomes my language to communicate my intentions. Even if there are communication barriers, you can still achieve your desires by being intellectual in communicating your thoughts and feelings. Adjusting to the environment and relating to Indonesian culture is one the best ways to understand them and build a healthy support system.