journal entries

1. Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade
Date: 21st April
Lesson Number: 1
Journal entry 1: Observation 1
Before going to the school I was really nervous since I had an idea of what I wanted to focus
on, but I didn’t know what I was going to come across. I mean, the type of students and the
teacher. I met her yesterday but we only organized the schedule and we talk for a few
minutes only.
However, as I entered the classroom my nerves disappeared. The atmosphere was really
kind, the children are lovely and to my surprise they are so quiet that it doesn’t seem you are
sharing a classroom with 6 years old kids.
As regards the classroom itself, it is quite big, comfortable and beautifully decorated. There
are 26 students in the classroom which are sat in t at tables of 5 and one of 6 students, and
there is a desk on one side of the classroom where I sat during this observation lesson. As
regards the teacher, she didn’t sit down, as she walked around the classroom the most part
of the lesson.
The development of the lesson was really entertaining and the half hour seemed ten
minutes. First, the teacher said hello to her students, introduced me, and explained them
that I was there to observe the lesson, and that in a few weeks I was going to play with them
and be their teacher for a couple of lessons. So she said to them “let’s show Cintia how we
work”.
She took a small ball and threw it to one of the students. Then, she said “I’m Fernanda,
What’s your name?” and the student responded answered “I’m (and her name), then she
threw the ball again and again to several different students. After that, she played their
routine “Hello” song. Then, she used some flashcards and chants to revise colours and
numbers. The activities were dynamic. However, and according to what I could observe, she
didn’t create a meaningful context for each of the activities. I say that because for instance,
she played the “Hello” song, and after that she told her students “Ok kids, now open your
pencil case and show me blue, now show me red” and so on. Then, she played a chant
about colours, for students to sing it and after that, she told them to say the numbers, and
sing a chant related to numbers. As they finished, they sang their routine “goodbye” song,
and the lesson was finished.
All in all, I liked the atmosphere created with that group of students since they participated in
all the activities, they kept quiet the entire lesson and the teacher spoke English the most
part of it most of the time. It has been my first time with young students and I left the
classroom really happy.
Comentario [1]: Please, include your
name, the date, and the practicum
period necssary information.
Comentario [2]: sorry, I forgot it. It's
ready now.

2. Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade
Date: 28th April
Lesson Number: 2
Journal entry 2: Observation 2
This time I felt nervous again since this class observation was the last one before I start
doing my practicum period at this level. As regards the lesson itself it was similar to the
previous one. The teacher made some revision on numbers and colours as in the last class
but she started teaching parts of the body. For that, she made the students stand up and
touch their heads, while she mimed touching her head with her hands. Then, she continued
with her hands telling the students “show me your hands”, “clap your hands one”, “clap your
hands two” and so on. Then, she said “touch your body” miming again, and finally, the feet.
As regards the pedagogical principles, the teacher has been able to build respect and a
good relationship with her students. As she entered the classroom, the students calm down
and make silence immediately. Along the lesson, she walked around the most part of the
time making all her students participate in it. Besides, her lessons are mainly student-
centered since she makes all of them be active participants. Regarding teaching strategies,
the teacher spoke the most part of the lesson in English, miming, showing with objects and
paraphrasing what she was trying to explain. Besides, she made her students keep their
motivation by asking them to do short but many different activities. For instance, she asked
them to stand up as I said before and touch different parts of their body, she made them
sing, draw, repeat after her, among others activities. So, a great atmosphere was created to
which the children responded really well and did all the teacher asked them to do.
The aspects of the lesson I consider successful are first of all, that the children are able to
understand what the teacher wants them to do without having to resort to their mother
tongue. Secondly, that the students participate and do all the activities proposed by the
teacher. And finally, I want to highlight again, the quiet atmosphere that has been built in the
classroom, since the children are really young.
However, I may say that, again, the teacher did not create a meaningful context to present
the activities or the new topic “parts of the body”. She only gave instructions to her students
as I mentioned in my first journal entry, such as “open your notebooks..show me blue...now
repeat… now stand up and touch your heads” and so on.
To conclude, these two class observations helped me a lot since I’ve never taught so young
children. Now I have a better idea how the class organization, activities and routines can be
developed and how I can apply all the theory I’ve been studying all these years. Hope I’ll do
it well.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade

3. Date: 5th May
Lesson Number: 3
Journal entry 3: Class 1
As this was my first lesson with 6 years old students I was extremely nervous. I wake up too
early this morning because of my nerves. I tried to imagine the development of the lesson
over and over again because I was afraid of missing some points or exercises. Of course the
lesson didn’t develop as I imagined. At first, students showed themselves quiet as always
and happy to help me “be a teacher of English”. But as the lesson started they didn’t show
much enthusiasm towards the puppet and the exercises proposed. They always showed
respect to me and kindness; the atmosphere was friendly, and they didn’t have problems in
calling me “teacher” and asking me questions; but I didn’t left the classroom satisfied with
my performance.
As regards the teaching strategies, I spoke English most of the time miming what I wanted to
say and showing pictures. Besides, I made them participate most of the lesson, asking
simple questions for them to answer or making them repeat some vocabulary while doing
TPR activities.
Fortunately, students reacted well to my teaching in the sense that they assumed in some
way that I was their teacher in this lesson. However, as regards the activities, they enjoyed
the ones in which they had to stand up and touch different parts of their body, or when
repeating some vocabulary. However, they didn’t care too much when I presented the
puppet as they weren’t interested in what it had to say, and the same happened with the last
activity in which they had to draw a friend and then, paint it. So, they reacted well to half of
the lesson and were a bit disinterested in the other half.
Besides, the aspects of the lesson I considered successful was the way they “accepted” me
as their teacher without having to resort to their everyday teacher at any moment, and that I
could fulfill,(in a different way I’d thought it would be) with all I’d planned for it.
However, I consider I have to design more interesting activities for students; TPR activities
are the ones that I noticed make them get more involved and motivated, and willing to
perform; and other activities as could be songs and stories.
Finally, what I found useful of this lesson that will help me plan the next, is in the first place,
timing because despite I could fulfill every activity, I think I need to think of one or two extra
in case I have more time until the bell rings; and in the second place, it was useful in the
sense that I learnt what type of activities I shouldn’t do for next lessons.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade
Date: 12th May
Lesson Number: 4
Comentario [3]: Do not worry, it's
your first encounter with the children.
You'll be able to engage them more.
Comentario [4]: Great! Using the L2
is really useful for students. The
strategies you resorted to seem to have
been accurate.
Comentario [5]: They seem to enjoy
movement.
Comentario [6]: There's a saying
which tells us: "Every teacher teaches
three lessons: the one we plan to teach;
the one we actually teach; the one we
wish we had taught." What is important
is that every class invites us to reflect.
Comentario [7]: Well thought!
Comentario [8]: although
Comentario [9]: You are well aware
of the students' needs. This is essential.

4. Journal entry 4: Class 2
Today’s lesson was my second one and I’ve been trying to manage my nerves but I couldn’t
relax at all. Mostly because I wanted to record this lesson but my cell phone didn’t let me do
it more than 11 minutes. As regards the children, they reacted well again as they did in the
first lesson, so the atmosphere was great and they answered well to all my requirements.
However, as I can’t relax at all since I was afraid of forgetting something from the lesson
plan, (something that I have to change) I think I developed the lesson too fast. I’m conscious
that I have to change many things.
As regards the teaching strategies, this time I succeed better than in the first lesson.
Students love to participate, and today, they participated most of the lesson. Besides, I
spoke English most of the time, and they could understand me. Students sang, I planned
TPR activities for them to enjoy, and they also participated describing the pictures I stuck on
the board; and playing a game with a die , which included body movement.
I can say that students reacted well to my teaching, and this time they enjoyed much more
the lesson much more than the first one. I could recognize or find what type of activities they
enjoy, for instance, they prefer describing a picture on the board or using flashcards to telling
being told a story at the beginning or introducing some topics with a puppet as I did in the
first lesson. Also they love singing songs and playing games. So, on the one hand I leave left
a bit happier than last Tuesday because I realized that students enjoyed the lesson, but on
the other hand, I need to work on my own performance.
I think that the aspects of the lesson that need change and improvement is the time I spend
in each activity. I think that because of my nerves, in this lesson and in the first one, I didn’t
spend the time considered to each of the stages, as I rushed a bit.
Finally, what I found useful of this lesson that will help me in the next one is that although I
could record a few minutes, I can analyse better my main mistakes so as to improve them
for next lessons.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade
Date: 19th May
Comentario [10]: suggestions
Comentario [11]: managed them
Comentario [12]: This shows
students were motivated.
Comentario [13]: while learning
Comentario [14]: enthusiastically to
the activities suggested
Comentario [15]: Do you think this
was only due to the activities
suggested? Or were there other
aspects that motivated them to work?
Comentario [16]: Good observation!
It means they are more willing to learn
by doing. It is a wise way to raise and
maintain their motivation.
Comentario [17]: You are well aware
of what needs to be done. These are
the first lessons. You'll be able to
manage time better. Try not to put so
much pressure on you, which may help
you relax a bit. You are doing a good
job!
Comentario [18]: Well thought!
Analysing lessons after they were
delivered is part of the reflecting cycle.

5. Lesson Number: 5
Journal entry 5: Class 3
Today’s lesson was my third lesson and fortunately I could manage my nerves and relax. I
really enjoyed this lesson but I didn’t leave satisfied because my intention was to record the
lesson, but the teacher only did it for me only 6 minutes. As regards the children, they get
used to see me in their English lessons as their teacher.
The teaching strategies applied this time were similar to the ones applied in previous
lessons. I introduced the lesson with pictures on the board and miming what I wanted
students to understand. As always, students participated most of the time, but today they
misbehaved a bit. I tried to calm them down and ask them to watch a video but the teacher
did it for me. She stood up and asked them to be silent. This is one of my main problems,
since she doesn’t let me be absolutely in charge of the class. Besides, I had planned an
activity in which students had to perform a story at the front of the class, but I couldn’t fulfill
that activity as they were a bit distracted, so I gave them a photocopy in which they had to
order the pictures of the story they’ve watched.
Despite students didn’t behave as always, they reacted well to my teaching in the sense that
after the teacher calmed them down, they continued working and doing what I told them.
Besides, they participated when I asked something orally, and help their partners when they
seemed lost.
The aspects of the lesson I considered successful were mostly that I could relax so I could
manage the whole class and activities better, as well as enjoy the lesson; and the most
valuable aspect I could find in each class I’ve been assisting is that I realized I really like
teaching, and why I’ve chosen to be a teacher of English.
As regards the aspects of the lesson that need change or improvement is still timing.
Although I try to organize my lesson plans and the activities, when you are in class
everything is different and what you’ve thought is not like it happens. So I need more training
in that aspect. However, I’ve been recording the last two lessons and despite they don’t
include the whole lessons, they are useful for me to watch them after each lesson and
realize better about the aspects I need to improve.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade
Date: 26th May
Lesson Number: 6
Journal entry 6: Class 4
Today’s lesson was my fourth one and I really enjoyed it. I felt more comfortable with myself
and with the group too. As regards the pedagogical principles that supported the planning
Comentario [19]: :)
Comentario [20]: This means you
established good rapport with them.
Revise language issues, please.
Comentario [21]: You are right. If the
course teacher manages the group for
you, students don't fully consider you as
the adult in charge, but don't worry. I'm
sure you will continue developing your
classroom management srtategies with
time, research and reflection.
Comentario [22]: teaching - check
meaning of 'assist'
Comentario [23]: This first
experience is giving you lots of insights,
;) This is just the beginning.
Comentario [24]: Good thinking!!!

6. and delivery of this lesson, I may say that they were similar to previous lessons. I always try
to create a friendly and warm atmosphere in order to make students feel comfortable during
the lesson. The only aspect I can mention that was different this time from previous lessons
is that, although the lesson is focused on the communicative approach, I had to speak a bit
more in spanish resorting to the “sandwich technique” English, Spanish, English, that is
something the teacher asked me to do, for students to understand better what I said.
Besides, the teaching strategies were similar to previous lessons too. I start every lesson
with a routine that includes a Hello song for students to know the lesson has started, and a
routine game with a ball, which lets students practice introducing themselves. This time, we
worked with a story students watched the previous lesson, so we concluded that lesson and
the whole unit.
Students reacted really well today, and worked quietly all the time. They helped me order the
pictures of the story and then, they enjoyed ordering and painting theirs. Furthermore, they
also enjoyed listening to different chants they’ve already known while working at their sit.
This time, I can say that the aspects of the lesson I consider successful are in the first place
timing, because I could fulfil with every activity I had planned, and in the second place, the
organization of the lesson and students’ behaviour; I left the class really happy and satisfied.
Moreover, I could taste and reflect better on my own performance and organization during
the lesson, so this is an aspect that will help me in future lessons, since I’ll keep on
improving my own teaching lesson by lesson, acquiring more experience class by class.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade B
Date: 10th June
Lesson Number: 7
Journal entry 7: Class 5
Today’s lesson was different as because of some external problems I have to work for this
one and one more lesson with another group of students. They’ve already known me but
they didn’t understand why I was teaching them today; so I explained the reason.
Fortunately, they were kind and respectful and didn’t have problems with that point. The
atmosphere was great, it was friendly and we enjoyed the lesson very much.
As regards the teaching strategies used in this lesson, I tried to do as much oral work as
possible, for students to learn through repetition while I mimed as much as possible what I
wanted to say, showing them pictures and real photos of my family in this case. Besides, we
sang a chant about family members and then, I divided the class into two groups to chant
different parts of it.
Fortunately the students reacted well to my teaching, they enjoyed singing and showing the
class some drawings of their family members they drawed in previous lessons. However, I
may say that despite this group doesn’t seem to be shy as students are too talkative; they
have more difficulties in speaking the language. A comparison I can make for instance
between this group and the other I’ve been working with for 7 weeks, is that when I ask
“what colour is it”? the morning group answers well to my question, they understand what it
means; but today’s group doesn’t.
The aspects of the lesson I consider successful are that I could fulfil the main aims of it, I feel
I could manage the group as regards its behaviour and that we all enjoyed the lesson.
Comentario [25]: The use of Spanish
is not forbidden, but it should not be
systematically implemented. Perhaps
development of teaching strategies or
simpler language is needed.
Comentario [26]: had
Comentario [27]: learnt
Comentario [28]: Excellent Cintia!!!
I'm glad to read that.
Comentario [29]: Why do you think
they don't?
Comentario [30]: What strategies did
you apply?

7. As regards the aspects of the lesson that need change or improvement, I think that despite I
consider I go on improving lesson by lesson, a feeling I have is that I do great effort to lower
my level; I mean as I’ve never worked with so young children, sometimes I speak as if they
understand what I say and I continue. However, in the last lessons I improve that aspect but
I need to keep on working on it.
Finally, the aspect of this lesson that will help me plan the next one is that this group has
shown me they enjoy TPR activities; sing, do body movements and act. So for the next
lesson, I’ll work with that kind of activities.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade A
Date: 16th June
Lesson Number: 8
Journal entry 8: Class 6
Today’s lesson has been the last one with 1sr grade A, according to the prescribed
schedule. I enjoyed it very much since I felt more comfortable and the children too. Besides,
students has shown great interest in participating in the activities, and had no problem in
adopting me as they new teacher as in previous lessons.
As regards the teaching strategies, I resort to paraphrasing, exemplification, demonstration
mime, and in few situations I apply the “sandwich technique” (english-spanish-english) for
students to understand me. Fortunately, as the lesson was mostly oral work, I could see that
students really understood my questions and directions. For instance, when I showed them
my mum’s photo and said “this is my mum, Sandra; What’s your mum’s name?” they got the
question immediately and answered it well. They also understood what I was talking about
when showing my family’s photos; and when talking about the dog’s family too.
So, I can say that students reacted really well to my teaching, to the lesson and the
activities. I perceived them more willing to participate orally, happy, interested in the
activities and in learning the language too. They enjoyed describing the picture at the
beginning of the lesson and singing the chant as well as introducing their family members.
The aspects of the lesson I consider successful is first of all that I had planned another
lesson for today, in which we were going to watch a video in the library but as it was closed I
couldn’t get the CD from it so I had to manage to follow another lesson plan, and it resulted
well; and second despite I know I’m just starting in this long way that is teaching young
learners, I’m gratified since I could see that students have learnt during my lessons.
Comentario [31]: It is not that you
have to lower your level, but to use
simple language and instructions. The
same we do in L1 when talking to
young children.
Comentario [32]: In general, young
learners do.
Comentario [33]: :)
Comentario [34]: This proves that
establishing rapport with a group is a
process, it takes time and patience.
Comentario [35]: Excellent!!!
Comentario [36]: Good for you and
the SS!

8. The aspects that need change or improvement is as regards my own teaching is more body
movement. When standing at the front of the class I felt as if I’m moving a lot, but after
watching the videos I realize that that is not the case, and I know I need to be more
demonstrative, and entertaining.
What I found useful of this lesson is that I gain more confidence as I could see that
something “good” I’ve done during all these lessons. As I said before, I could see that
students can use the language to communicate. They can introduce themselves, they can
introduce family members; as well as recognizing numbers, colours, among others so that is
enough to me. They are only 6 years old and it is really gratifying working with so young
children and being able to use the language communicatively.
Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi
Practicum Level: Kinder
Group: 1st grade B
Date: 17th June
Lesson Number: 9
Journal entry 9: Class 7
Today’s lesson has been the last one of the kinder period, according to the schedule.
Students worked with a song and oral work that had to do with family members and action
verbs; and the lesson has been developed through activities that involved TPR and the
natural approach, since students participated most of the time singing, dancing, miming and
doing performing different actions.
The teaching strategies applied in this lesson didn’t differ much from the previous ones. I did
mainly mime, paraphrasing and exemplification for students to understand what I wanted to
explain or what I wanted them to do. Besides, I tried to help students to use the foreign
language as much as possible through repetition and demonstration.
Today, on the one hand, some students reacted well to the activities since they like being
the “characters” when participating along the activities, but on the other hand, other students
misbehaved and it cost me a great work to calm them down. I asked them to sit down and
stay quiet but at a minute later they were walking around and disturbing my teaching.
As regards the lesson, I consider successful that we could revise some previously learnt
vocabulary and structures and students showed me they have learnt them. Besides, the
activities I’ve planned for today’s lesson were dynamic and enjoyable for students.
However, an aspect that need change or improvement has to do in this case with my ability
or strategies to calm students down since despite they are young and get distracted very
soon, I need to work on it and try to find effective ways in order to succeed and try to
develop better my lessons.
Finally. what I found useful of this lesson is that I have improved in timing when developing
or thinking the activities and lesson plans since I could fulfil with the activities planned just on
Comentario [37]: Good observation!
Comentario [38]: You have
developed new teaching skills, Cintia. :)
Comentario [39]: You were able to
apply effective teaching strategies. :)
Comentario [40]: What factors
influenced their behaviour?
Comentario [41]: How will you work
on this aspect?

9. time. This is an aspect in which I have had problems at the beginning of my practicum
period since I rushed too much when introducing the topics or explaining the activities to my
students and I left little time to check understanding or to exemplify.
Dear Cintia
It is rewarding to see how much you have learnt and developed during this first
period. Teaching very young learners is demanding from many viewpoints, but the
rewards are also many. Their intrinsic motivation is an asset to be considered, among
others.
Congratulations on your performance!
You may now upload this file to the campus (with comments).
Keep it up!
Your tutors.