VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY-HO CHI MINH CITY

UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

FACULTY OF ENGLISH LINGUISTICS & LITERATURE

[A5] REFLECTION PAPER

Student’s name: Nguyen Quoc Thanh Student Code: 1957011185

Supervisor’s name: Pham Ngoc Kim Tuyen Group number: 07

REFLECTION PAPER

My future life will be determined by my final years of university. The thought "Did I
pick the right major?" no longer consumes my thoughts. Instead, I'm more worried about
whether I'm doing my work well or not at this moment. My connection to the teaching
profession comes from life. But can teaching all the students in the lecture hall really help
me develop into a professional teacher? Depending on how it reaches my dream, my
response may be either yes or no. The development of my own self is one of the factors
which this discipline may bring. In fact, the teaching profession is an art form that
supports exploration. I went from being constantly terrified of crowds and social
interactions to a person who is more sophisticated in speaking and has obtained many
priceless experiences because of being exposed to the teaching profession. My hard
internship experience and part-time teaching assistant position are proof of that journey.

"The first steps may not be firm, but it is a sign that we can walk" is a common proverb.
The opportunity to work as a teaching assistant came to me accidently, which was a
turning point that made me understand how much I genuinely enjoy teaching. I began my
search for part-time employment in an effort to supplement my income. I stumbled into a
position as a teaching assistant at the Apollo English center. In fact, I had no idea what a
teaching assistant was at the time. However, I have been working in this position for two
years already after applying for admission. The dynamic work environment and the
people are what draw me in since they alter my personality and aid me in overcoming my
flaws. I've learned that having patience is one of the most important skills to have as a
teaching assistant. This position assists the supervision and aids the primary teacher, who
is crucial to maintaining order in the classroom. I am really apprehensive when it comes
to these terms because I know that my own weakness — the fear of crowds—will prevent
me from performing tasks productively. By the way, being involved in this position didn't
leave me disappointed. I encountered warm, gifted teachers and vivacious coworkers. I've
had the chance to work from kindergarten to secondary level. I like how each grade has
its own color. Skillful observation and committed care are the two most crucial aspects of
a preschooler's school hour. Children at this age have a lack of orientation and a clear
understanding of how to learn in a classroom setting and at home, therefore classroom
activities are created appropriately. Additionally, it is crucial to pay close attention to the
child's personality. I came to the realization that there is a really efficient approach to stay
on top of the situation in the classroom and understand what each child needs after
working at Apollo for several months. I remember each student's personality, which is
not difficult because I will get to know them as I teach this class for a long time. The
activities in the class must be done in accordance with the child's interests, or else he or
she would sob and scream incessantly. This is a typical example in the class of a child
with a mildly stubborn disposition. The child can be encouraged and motivated in a
simple way by being told that participating will earn him extra points. The variety of
activities in the classroom, from physical games to thinking-intensive tasks, encourages
students to develop their critical thinking skills while learning English. With older
children, I would emphasize patience. Children gradually develop awareness at this age. I
must therefore keep track of the kids' academic progress, offer guidance, and encourage
them to get better. One particular student in the class would never do their homework and
avoid taking part in class activities out of fear. This issue is brought on not by the child,
but rather by the intervention of friends, teaching aides, and teachers. Discovering the
root of the problem is always essential for a teaching assistant. Perhaps the kid doesn't
understand the lesson in class, thus he or she doesn't know how to perform it. I may help
him by rereading the course and thoroughly fixing the incorrect information. In addition,
I can encourage him/ her to join activities and build relationships so that he/she feels
more comfortable speaking up for herself. There are always issues with classroom
management, but I believe your ability to simplify things will make a difference.
Working at Apollo has made me aware of how I might aid the lead teacher more
effectively. However, occasionally I don't have the connection between teachers and
teaching assistants, which results in class that isn't as productive as planned. This is
because a teaching assistant's role is to support teachers in classroom management.
However, I have gone through a lot of changes because of my position as a teaching
assistant, which has helped me hone my soft skills, particularly patience.

The internship term began at a time when I was preoccupied with keeping up with my
training records. I had the chance to polish my language abilities in programs like
Reading-Writing, Grammar, Listening-Speaking, and Pronunciation offered by the
Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature to the class of 2023. I observed that every
teacher used a distinct teaching strategy. They avoid traditional pauses and always blend
techniques in various exercises to make the classroom feel welcoming. For instance, Ms.
Huong keeps the students upbeat and interested in the subject when teaching grammar.
According to Mr. Trieu, the subject of pronunciation might be challenging and dull for
certain pupils because it calls for precise pronunciation. To help pupils understand the
lecture, he develops his own exercises and distinct documents instead of using an original
syllabus. While Mr. Thanh, who teaches Reading and Writing, may adhere to a set
curriculum, he will incorporate a variety of teaching techniques into each activity to make
pupils more at ease, ensuring that they comprehend the material and enable them to
complete the exercises constructively. In general, teachers have enthusiastically and
devotedly pushed their roles as teachers in all training sessions. In my opinion, professors
don't seem to be concerned when they're in the lecture hall, and I think that's a
tremendous responsibility. I have gathered a lot of necessary components to get ready for
my workout. My lesson is on the practice-needed skill of writing. I concentrate on
employing techniques like task-based learning or communicative language teaching in
this section to help students apply their knowledge to writing passages. One benefit of my
teaching style is that I foster an environment where the activities are acceptable and the
class is enjoyable. On the other hand, I struggle with time management, which leaves
instructional activities unfinished and forces me to employ substitute activities. Students
are left perplexed and unclear of what to do next as a result. I still have trouble
pronouncing phrases correctly, and sometimes my voice is too low for the pupils to hear
me. However, I was given the chance to become a true teacher thanks to my training. I
am aware of my strengths and areas that require improvement.

People are changed and affected by the field of education. The knowledge I've gained
will be helpful on my upcoming adventures. During my time at university, I acquired the
knowledge I need to change and advance. For me, teaching requires listening and
comprehending to be developed upon. Dr. Haim Ginott, a professor, famously observed
"Students are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression". Since I am
the student's future instructor, my imprint on their life path must always be clear and
unfading.

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