Student Stories and Impact

Hola!

I would definitely say that this has been my most different and challenging teaching experience when it comes to making connections and relating to students. While I have loved being here, I can easily admit that at points my students have not given me the easiest time. With my other placements it was easy to connect and build a bond with my students for many reasons. Some of those reasons would be they were from the same district I grew up in, they told me everything they did during the weekend, and I did the same, I was with them all day long, and we had the same first language. However, here, I do not know much about the place they are growing up in, I am constantly switching classes and do not always see certain students every day, I do not fluently speak their language, and they know that certain things I cannot relate to. This at first made it seem like I would never truly bond with my students here because it was not happening at the speed it has for me in the past.

I remember one of my first lessons I taught to one of the second-grade classes, I was so nervous. For this group in particular I had to do a lot of the lesson in Spanish because their English was lower than some of the other groups. At one point I had made a few grammatical errors in a row, I was saying the correct word but just not putting it in the correct tense. A few of my students would interrupt my teaching to laugh or to make fun of what I said. So finally, I stopped the lesson and asked a few students to repeat back to me in English what I was just saying. Everyone went completely silent and were looking at their teacher for help. I then explained to them that I am here to help them with their English, to learn myself, and to give them an experience most students do not get. Ever since that lesson, those students have started correcting me in such a respectful and helpful way and they have begun telling me things, asking for help, and treating me like a second teacher. I think at first the students did not take me seriously or want anything from me but after I explained my purpose and have shown them over time that I am wanting to learn their attitudes have completely changed.

As mentioned before, I think that I am playing a strong role in impacting the education of my students. They are getting such a unique and different experience than most other students in Spain. They are getting help with pronunciation, vocabulary, and reading in English from someone with English as their first language. While I came here feeling so amazing that I was given this experience I have realized through working with my students that they are getting a very similar experience without leaving their home. We are both learning a language, terminology, customs, and so much more. I believe this is a big part of why my students have begun opening up to me, trusting me, and genuinely liking my presence is that they can tell I am appreciating this experience not only as an educator but as a student myself.

Ciao, Ms. K.