as an auxiliar /
my expectations for the Language Assistant Program /
Before entering the program, I had the impression that teaching students would be easy across the board, in terms of learning styles and behavior.
Boy, was I in for a surprise!
Each age level has its own challenges and rewards. I'm humbled by the variety of needs between each student. I've learned a lot about what it takes to be a good teacher, and adaptability has been a huge ally for navigating the classroom.
Meanwhile, I simultaneously needed to understand what it means to be a cultural ambassador. My presence impacted their views of America, while they exchanged with me their own reality of what it's like to be Spanish.
Beyond language acquisition, my wish for the school year was that the symbiosis of culture would offer valuable knowledge to the students, my colleagues, and myself.
teaching experience /
At CEIP Gandhi, I worked with primary school students of:
5 different Infantil classes (ages 3-5),
1 class of 1° Primaria (5-6),
1 class of 5° Primaria (9-10).
Apart from enriching the students' comprehensive skills in English, I have also collaborated with teachers for instructing bilingual Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and History.
goals for self and learners /
"Becoming is better than being." - Carol Dweck, Author of Mindset
The ultimate goal for myself as an instructor and for my learners is to encourage a growth mindset. As Carol Dweck puts it:
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”
Many people have the impression that their basic abilities, intelligence, and talents are what you're born with, and that you only have a certain amount. This is called a fixed mindset.
Language learning requires a strong growth mindset, accompanied by diligence and patience. In this process, I would hope to allow my students to develop the valuable skills of self-assessment, autonomy, and resilience.