This is my first time as LA of Comunidad de Madrid, especially to primary students in a public school. Although I have been a Language Assistant to ESO students for three school years in a charter school, I expect it to be different and I look forward to learning more teaching strategies from the school I will be assigned to.
First of all, I believe assisting primary students is different with my experience with ESO students. Hence, I expect myself to be more creative, as children are more unpredictable. I expect to prepare more fun, interactive lessons and to review a lot of basic topics. I also know that repetition is the key. Therefore, helping students review their lessons in class and provide additional assistance to students who are struggling. Additionally, I have to be a perfect example as an English speaker and help them improve their pronunciation and expound their vocabulary.
In terms of my school coordinator and the teachers in the school, I expect them to be very supportive. I know teachers are very busy, preparing for their lessons and attending to students. So as LA, I will assist them the best way that I could, and that's by having the initiative to propose some lesson activities in class to reinforce English. I also expect to learn a lot from them by observing how they manage the classroom and children’s behaviour.
Above all, I expect the LA program to be a fulfilling experience. I know it will not be easy, but it will be a meaningful learning experience for me, to be able to teach students in a Spanish school setting and meet new people who are passionate about teaching. Most of all, I look forward to gaining knowledge from the teachers I will be working with and take the opportunity to evaluate my own teaching practice.
My Expectations About the Language Assistant Program
My real life experience as LA
My experience as LA in my assigned school was just what I expected it to be.
My normal day was exciting and interesting as I get to know the students better. They were always eager to learn new things, so it was easy for me to introduce new topics or activities to them. I wouldn't even notice the time whenever I was in the classroom.
I also learned a lot from the teachers I was assigned to. By observing them, I was able to reflect on my teaching practice and apply the strategies I learned from them. As I expected, they were very supportive and very helpful whenever I needed additional information or clarification related to teaching and the students. They were also very open to my proposed ideas and they allowed me to facilitate them in their classroom, which gave me the experience of teaching a class in a real school setting.
It was a very rewarding experience. I felt a sense of belonging at work and accomplishment from what I did whenever the teachers appreciate my ideas and know that I was able to support the school and contributed to the LA program in a productive and meaningful way.