Summary and Suggestion

Purpose

The purpose of the SEA-Teacher program is to promote intercultural exchange among the ASEAN countries as well as other participating countries. Also the program aims to, "provide opportunity for pre-service student teachers from universities in Southeast Asia to have teaching experiences (practicum) in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia." Having experience intercultural exchange has allowed me to open my eyes to how great the world can be. I have realized that my view of the world is very limited and if just try to discover it, there are lot of opportunities that awaits us. This project helped me to level up my performance and see that I can do more better than what I have already achieved.

Practicum Procedures

Upon arriving in Japan on the 6th of February, we were given an orientation and a day to prepare for our first presentation which will be held on the 8th of February, which was a Saturday morning. We were also given a welcome party after the presentation. On the first week, observation was what we had to do as well as preparation for the first SDG presentation.

On the 2nd week at Sakado, was our teaching time. From Monday-Thursday, every third period(10:20), was time allotted for us to teach the mandatory subject which was Social Studies. On Thursday, February 20, 2020 on the 5th and 6th period; an elective subject was also given to us as a teaching load for those students who have chosen the subject.

With regards to the Lesson Plan format, our supervisor gave us the freedom to choose whatever pattern we are comfortable to work with: either their lesson plan format or our own from the Philippines. We have chosen to work with the format of I-Plan which we have used in one of our subjects in the Philippines and our supervisor told us that he would allow the next batch to use the same format, if this program will still continue.

Our supervisor and cooperating teacher were very supportive during our teaching time. They were there to assist us and help us explain some things to the students, in their language, especially for those who are having a hard time understanding the English language. We appreciate their effort and help throughout our teaching practice.

Student Forum 2020- TAG-AIMS Program

Also, we were given the opportunity to handle an activity for the TAG-AIMS students. The activity is entitled, Gallery Walk. This activity showed how a teacher should be flexible to do things aside from classroom teaching. Just facilitating the students taught me that learning can happen even with different nationalities present but all can still agree to one goal as long as cooperation and openness to various ideas is present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvel3IvUvfI

Summary of the 5-day AIMS program Batch 2020. Video Credits to Rinnosuke Matsuyama. This video was given permission to be used for this blog.

Practicum Outcomes

I think the outcome of the practicum went well. Through the help and guidance of our supervisor and cooperating teacher, we have become better. In how we manage the classroom, using the time (in starting and finishing the class), using the right and perfect examples, I have seen that we have progress each day. The students have come to appreciate how we have taught them by applying all the suggestions and improvements our Sensei has given us. The consultation and reflection meetings was a key factor in achieving a good teaching lesson. We have really learned a lot from our teachers.

Practicum Challenges

The challenges I encountered during this project was first, language barrier and secondly, lack of knowledge of the social and political practices and situation of my receiving country. With regards to language barrier, there are some concepts that I was challenged to discuss because I could not really elaborate the context as some could not understand just the wide view of the lesson; I had to come up with perfect examples for my students to really comprehend what I am trying to say. Second, the social and political practices of the country. I think I should have learned something of it so that I can easily relate the lesson to them and can also understand easily.

Overall Impression

This experience is worth it. To be the Pilot Batch for Sea Teacher Project in Japan was both an honor and a responsibility. This program expanded my horizon of how big the real world could be. Hoping for a good result and continuous good partnership with Tsukuba University and the program.

This project did not only build and trained me to be globally competitive, but it also taught me a lot about respect and building friendship not only with our co-SEA- Teachers, but as well as our trainers, students and other people we meet during this program as well as when we are in our own countries already.

Suggestion

I hope that this project will continue because greater opportunities awaits those who has experienced this kind of program. In my stay in Japan, a month is a bit short for us to really explore the culture of the country as well as the teaching practice, I hope it could be more than that, but as I know that there are still a lot to be considered, I appreciate you giving us this privilege. Domo Arigatogozaimashita!