Kindly,click the link below to have a glimpse of the happenings during the Sea Teacher Program at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Purpose of Practicum
This project of SEAMEO SEA Teacher has a purpose for the pre-service teachers to have experience teaching in another country in Southeast Asia. Specifically, the aims of the SEA – Teacher Project are:
- To enable the student teachers to develop their teaching skills and pedagogy.
- To encourage student teachers to practice their English skills.
- To allow the student teachers to gain a broader regional and world view.
- To expose future teachers to diverse teaching and learning situations and opportunities, and the value of flexibility.
For me, the program also aims to enhanced the personal growth of the participants. Personally, it challenged me to be responsible and independent. I felt like a bird starting to learn how to fly by stepping out of the nest. For one month, being in another country, I matured because I learn to step out of my comfort zone .
The program also aims to connect us to new people . Throughout the program, you will meet new people and have memories with them. You can also learn a lot by listening to their own stories. You can learn to open up to them by sharing your own stories. I learn to understand that our differences in terms of beliefs,traditions and culture didn't become a hindrance because we can still connect with each other. I enhanced my interpersonal skills. Having conversations with people in the program and community improved my communication skills.
The program also makes us global citizens with understanding that there's a wide world waiting out there. We just need to be brave and determined to seize every opportunity in the near future that's waiting on our way.
Overall, it meets all my needs. I became a better version of myself because of the skills that I have improve in the program.
Overall, it meets all my needs. I became a better version of myself because of the skills that I have improve in the program.
Procedure of Practicum
As a Pre-Service Teacher , I stayed for 29 days in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia which started from February 6 to March 5, 2020. I was accommodated by Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, the receiving university during my whole stay. I temporarily lived in a dorm named Asrama Mahasiswa Putri.
I was deployed at Pelita Nusantara School. During the first week, I together with my fellow Sea teacher participant from CLSU, Crystal observed several teachers in the school. I enjoyed it because I learned a lot from them. I will definitely apply in my teaching career the teaching principle of Sir Andrew which is lessening the teacher's talking time in the class. I truly respect them because they dedicated themselves into the teaching profession and they have experiences that made them more equipped teachers.
The following weeks, I started teaching in class. I handled two levels, Primary 3b and 4a. Most of my class are in Primary 3b and their adviser, Sir Deki became my cooperating teacher. I taught Mathematics, Science and Health Education to Primary 3b. On the other hand, I only taught Science to Primary 4a. The kids were sometimes playful but I understand it. I liked them because they were so dedicated to studies, they have initiative to learn and were really respectful to me. It was such a nice experience teaching in the school.
I also had some excursions during the scheduled days wherein we experienced the culture of Indonesia with buddies, fellow participants and the Office of International Education and Relations . I really enjoyed it a lot. During free time at weekends, I had bonding time with other participants and preparation for teachings.
All in all, I had fun learning and experiencing new things, improving my teaching skills, appreciating the country's culture and meeting new people. The whole program was such an overwhelming once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.
Challenges of the Practicum
In every journey, there are challenges along the way. I'm really interested in the beauty of Indonesian culture. To appreciate and experience a country's culture, we must connect with its people. Connecting means to communicate. English is a foreign language in Indonesia. With that, some of the people in the community can't speak English. Communicating with the community became a challenge for me. I addressed it by using language translator. Sometimes, I recited sentences or I just asked them to read it on my phone or I just play the voice over of the translator. If the translator didn't work because sometimes it's not that accurate ,Rahma, our buddy came to the rescue. We just call her and she became a human translator. By having a hard time communicating, I keep in my mind some often used words that truly helped me a lot. I'm not really fond of eating spicy foods that's why everytime I went to order food I always said "Tidak pedas " which means not spicy. Terima kasih is my favorite Indonesian phrase because I often used this a lot. It means thank you. I also loved saying "kiri" when I was riding the public vehicle, Angkot which means stop. When I was buying stuffs, I said "berapa banyak? " to know the price. Living for one month in Bandung was not easy but it's fun. It was such a wonderful experience that everyday I came to live the Indonesian way. By the way, I also blend in because I looked like an Indonesian. Some people don't believe that I can't speak Bahasa Indonesia because they can't believe I'm a foreigner.
On the other hand, it was such a relief that pupils at Pelita Nusantara School can understand and speak English. I just had a problem with my speaking manner. I speak a little bit fast that's why I made adjustments with that. I slow down my speaking pace and made sure that the pupils can hear and understand everything that I say during class. I also used simple and familiar English words. It was such a fulfillment to teach the pupils because the language didn't affect the teaching and learning process.
By stepping out of my comfort zone, I begin to change, grow and transform. The program became a platform wherein I applied everything that I learned in my university with regards to teaching. On the other hand, each of us had something to learn from the others and something to teach in return. The pupils were not the only one who learn during our class. I learned a lot also. I learned that teaching doesn't just concern with relaying information. Teaching means making the pupils love learning. In a short period of time, I challenged myself to make every class as enjoyable and fun as I can. I want my pupils to be excited to learn. I guessed I was successful by seeing their smiles in our class.
The program gave me an opportunity to meet new people. I am a shy person at times especially when dealing with new acquaintances. The buddies and my fellow participants were so friendly and caring. I enjoyed being with them. I learn to open up myself. I enhanced by interpersonal skills by communicating with not only to them but also to other people in the program.
The program made me responsible and independent. I took care of myself for one month. I cooked or ordered my food. I took care of my laundry. I used public transportation in a foreign place. I also learn some budgeting. I managed my time wisely. I really learn to be flexible. Living away from home also made me realized one thing. I need to believe in myself more. Oftentimes, I doubt myself but the program made me believed in myself. It boosts my self-confidence. I am starting to believe that I am capable of being the person I want and meant to be. I am capable of becoming a great teacher in the near future who will inspire young children to be what they want to be and to teach them that they can succeed all they have to do is to dream and persevere.
Everything that I learn in the program will set me up for the big, wide world that awaits me in the future. With that, I'm truly grateful.
Overall Impression
The Sea Teacher Program is indeed a great platform to enhance the skills and abilities of future teachers for them to become globally competent individuals who can surpass any challenges and can have the ability to change the world by making a difference by becoming agents of education.
I am so happy because of the privilege that was given to me to be part of the program. It has a huge impact to my life not only as a future teacher but as a person also. Being out of my comfort zone living for one month away from home, I learned to stand on my own. I was sometimes doubtful about myself but the program helped me realize that I can do anything. All I have to do is to believe in myself because a lot of people believe in me so much. I also gained some confidence not only in teaching but also in mingling with new people.
With that, I can proudly say that this program contributes to not only the professional growth but also personal growth of all the participants.
I'm also happy because I had the chance to appreciate and experience the majestic culture of Wonderful Indonesia. Even for a short period of time ,having the chance to live the Indonesian way was unforgettable. The program indeed gives the participants opportunity to explore the world by experiencing another country's culture and way of living. With that, participants will have a wider understanding of the world.
I hope that the Sea Teacher program will be continue forever because it provides opportunities for students to be globally competent and multiculturally exposed. This program can also enhanced the quality of education in Southeast Asia by having dedicated and equipped global teachers. We can change the world together by providing quality education for all with global standards.
I suggest that future participants should have basic knowledge on the language of the country that they will go to. They will enjoy more the experience if they can communicate with the people. It can also prevent the possibility of people taking advantage of you. Nevertheless, I truly recommend that future educators should grab the opportunity to join the program to become not only better teachers in the future but better individuals as well. All in all, the program is really meaningful and memorable for me.