SUMMARY AND SUGGESTIONS

 PURPOSES ON PRACTICUM

The SEA Teacher Project or the “Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” is a project that 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.

Objectives of the Project

1. To enable pre-service student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy.
2. To encourage the pre-service student teachers to practice their English skills
3. To allow the pre-service student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view
4. To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities, and the value of flexibility.

Based on the program that I participated in for approximately one month, I think the objectives of the project presented by SEAMEO Secretariat can be felt. In making Lesson Plan, PowerPoint presentation, Learning Media, and Teaching Demo in the classroom, it really developed my teaching skills and pedagogy. During that time, of course, my English skills developed because I needed to interact with supervisors, host teachers, students, buddies, and other parties.

After joining the SEA Teacher Program Batch 9, I learned about the educational system in Vietnam. I can also experience firsthand how to manage a class with an educational system that is different from Indonesia.

Besides teaching, we were also invited to take a tour in Dong Thap. The tour made me know the situation and conditions of the Vietnamese people. I also learned about the culture and traditions in Dong Thap.

PROCEDURES OF PRACTICUM

The SEA Teacher Batch 9 program at Dong Thap University runs for 4 weeks. The practicum is divided into 4 steps.

Step 1: Orientation

Orientation was conducted at the beginning of the program. On September 12th, 2023, we toured DthU as an introduction to the campus environment. On September 13th, 2023 we had an Orientation Meeting at the English Hangout Club (H1 Building). That's when we met our respective supervisors. Then Dong Thap University held a Welcoming Party in the evening. The event was held at Lecture Theater 1. We were officially welcomed by the Rector, lecturers, and students of DthU. The event was filled with introductions of each DthU Inbound campus student.

Orientation to the school took place on September 15th, 2023. It was located at Future School. The teacher invited us to tour the school while introducing the places, activities, and Future School's Students. On the same day, there was also a welcoming meeting from the school officially.

Step 2: Observation

Observations at Future School were conducted 2 times on September 15th and September 18th, 2023 in different classes. We made observations in groups. I was with 5 of my math friends. All of them were from the Philippines except me.

Step 3: Making Teaching Materials

After the observation, Mr. Truc shared the schedule of Teaching Demo at Future School. I was assisted by Supervisors and Volunteers from the MIT Education Department of DthU to make teaching materials. They helped me a lot. The volunteers translated the school books I would use into English. The supervisor was also very helpful in making my Lesson Plan and PowerPoint Presentation.

Step 4: Teaching Demo

After making teaching materials, it was time to practice teaching in the classroom. I got a teaching schedule on October 2nd - 5th, 2023. It was one of the experiences that I will never forget. Meeting Future School students who are very cute and polite. Very respectful of me as a teacher. They were very excited when learning with me.

Step 5: Evaluation

After teaching in class, the supervisor immediately gave me an evaluation. The good thing is that the supervisor gives an evaluation every time I finish teaching. So that I can improve my teaching method for the next day.

OUTCOMES OF PRACTICUM

After participating in the SEA Teacher Program, I have learned so many valuable lessons and experiences. Of course, the thing that I feel the most is the improvement of my teaching skills. Making a lesson plan and teaching abroad is certainly a new thing for me. The differences in language, educational system, and habits made me learn a lot. 

I am also very happy to be able to participate in this program because my English skills can be greatly improved. For about 4 weeks, I used English probably 80% of the time. In addition, I was also able to learn about the rich and unique culture of Vietnam. I could learn the language even though I could only learn a little. And the discipline upheld by the Vietnamese people. Hopefully the discipline that is always taught by the Vietnamese people and applied by me there can continue to be applied in Indonesia as well.

THE CHALLENGES OF PRACTICUM

Most Vietnamese people do not speak English at all. In my placement area, Dong Thap, only a small percentage speak English. The teachers at Future school don't all speak English. Fortunately, we were accompanied by buddies who were English majors so they could help us communicate. We usually had trouble ordering or buying things like food, stationery, printing our lesson plans, and so on.

In the classroom there are some students who are not fluent in English. But I can overcome this by speaking slowly and clearly. I also usually use body language to help them understand what I am saying.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

I am very grateful to be able to join the SEA Teacher Batch 9 program in Vietnam. There are so many benefits that I got. Meeting great people and being able to exchange cultures with Vietnamese and Filipino friends. Even I can also exchange cultures with friends from Indonesia, different islands. Yes, because Indonesia is also rich in culture.

Vietnamese people are very friendly. I feel like home. Mr. Truc, Ms. Mai, Ms. Anh, My Supervisor Ms. Yen, and the lecturers from the MIT Education Department love me very much. They are like my parents in Vietnam. My beloved Buddies Tina, Dai, Jennet, Ann, Tai, Thao, Linh, Hieu, Nen, Snowmoon, James, Freshy thank you so much. You guys are very welcoming to me and always help me. Thank you also to the Volunteers from MIT Education Department who have painstakingly translated school math books into English just for me. You also always accompanied me to Future School during Teaching Demo. I will always remember your kindness. Thank you SEAMEO Secretariat for allowing me to feel the euphoria of going abroad. Thank you Vietnam.

SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENT

I hope that other campuses that have not cooperated with SEAMEO Secretariat can cooperate as soon as possible. The SEA Teacher program is the best program I have ever participated in. Hopefully many other friends can experience teaching abroad like me. Hopefully we can all bring a positive impact to our respective countries. Once again Thank You SEAMEO Secretariat. Thank You Vietnam. I will always miss you. See you when I see you.