Teaching Practice
PROCEDURES OF TEACHING
I get the chance to teach Mathayom 1, Section 1 (Grade 7), under the guidance of my two mentors for their subjects. Before I begin each class, I make sure that my lesson is fully aligned with the lesson plan, ensuring I am prepared to meet the learning objectives. At the start of every class, I remind the students to greet us by saying, "Good morning, Teacher John, Teacher Mai, and Teacher Tongfah," using their respective names as a way to promote respect and establish a welcoming classroom environment. I always encourage the students to participate actively by reading aloud or answering questions using a microphone, as this helps improve their pronunciation and boosts their confidence in speaking English. During lessons, I focus on creating a supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them.
I also incorporate interactive activities such as group reading exercises or dialogues to engage the students and reinforce their listening and speaking skills. As the lesson progresses, I ensure students have opportunities to practice new vocabulary and grammar through hands-on activities, such as role-playing or pair work, to reinforce their understanding. At the end of each class, I encourage the students to bid their goodbyes in English by saying, "Thank you and goodbye, teachers." I make this a small habit for them because I believe that even these little gestures matter in creating a positive learning environment and building their confidence in using English.
TIME MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES
In organizing my lessons, I break them down into manageable sections to help students grasp the material more effectively without overwhelming them. This strategy is especially important since many students struggle with the language. By keeping lessons short and focused, I aim to build their confidence and understanding gradually, making sure that they are not overloaded with too much information at once.
My weekly plan follows a simple structure: the first day is for discussion, the second day for activities to apply what they have learned, and the last day for worksheets to reinforce the lesson. This approach ensures that students stay engaged and can absorb the material at a comfortable pace.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
In my experience as a teacher in Thailand, I quickly realized that it is normal for students to be loud, especially when they meet a new foreign teacher. At first, managing the noise during discussions was challenging, but I started using a few Thai words like "fang" (listen) and "Ngeīyb" (quiet) to get their attention and remind them to focus.
The good thing is, they seem to understand me easily, which makes it easier to maintain order in the class. I found that balancing a bit of authority with a fun and approachable attitude works well. I make it clear that I expect them to follow my commands, but I always try to keep the atmosphere light and engaging so that they feel comfortable participating.
PROBLEM- SOLVING WHILE TEACHING AND STAYING IN THE
DESIGNATED SCHOOL
One of the main challenges I faced was the language barrier. The students had limited English knowledge, which made teaching both basic English and speaking skills difficult. However, the students were very eager to learn and communicate, which made them cooperative and motivated. To make the lessons more engaging, I created fun activities every session. This helped keep their interest alive, even though not all students were equally enthusiastic about learning English.
Another challenge was that many students were shy about reading aloud due to fear of being laughed at by their peers. To overcome this, I encouraged them by calling on each student individually and reassuring them they could do it. Positive reinforcement, like praising their efforts with "very, very good," helped boost their confidence. As I got to know the students and learned their names, it made a difference in building rapport. I ensured that every student participated by answering questions using the microphone and speaking in front of the class, which helped them become more comfortable with using English.