Week 14 - Professional (28/04/12)

This week has been another thoroughly enjoyable one, as we have continued our placement in the Jockey Club Primary School. 

My Year 5 class have been studying the different aspects of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, trying to gain an understanding of what they are, how to recognize them and the benefit of using them in their writing. As I have observed and taught this topic of English language to my class, I believe I have gained a lot which will benefit me professionally. Not only is it an advantage that I am gaining access to a variety of different teaching resources and methods but also, I am experiencing the act of and the importance of making sure that every aspect of a topic, regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem to me, is covered in great detail in order to provide greater clarity for the students. I think that this is an important quality that every teacher has to develop but one that might not be truly obvious unless a period of teaching children with English as a Second Language (ESL) is experienced. My Year 4 class are currently taking part in a newly introduced reading scheme that is being externally inspected. This particular scheme has given me the opportunity to develop a series of lessons that aim to promote a desire for reading, as well as develop the skills of reading. 

We also met the Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) this week and from several conversations, their passion and determination to provide the children of the Jockey Club Primary School with as many opportunities as possible to develop their English proficiency, has been tangibly obvious. As a result, the PTA organised several events, to make the most of having English speaking student teachers in their school, which have included several visits to the homes of some students and a tour of Tai Po, which is the local town. I believe that it is extremely important to develop strong social relationships with the pupils that you are teaching and their families, in order to gain a better understanding of the child and their learning needs, as well as how to include the families and work as a team for the benefit of the child’s holistic development. 

On Thursday evening I was very kindly invited to dinner at Jasmine’s home, a pupil from Andrew’s Year 5 class. During the evening, we enjoyed a family meal made by their Filipino maid, as well as many conversations and family games. Through this opportunity, I was able to gain an insight into what home life is like for children in Hong Kong and attain an understanding from a parent’s perspective the reasons behind their eagerness for their children to achieve an education and master the English language. 

Jasmine and her family.

Finishing off her important homework.

Jasmine teaching me how to play piano.

The other event arranged for us involved being taking around Tai Po by a group of 8 children and some of their parents. We visited the Old Tai Po Market Railway Station Museum, Man Mo Temple and finally Tai Po’s Wet Market, where fresh foods can be bought, the emphasis being on fresh as all of the food was killed in front of you, before all gathering to eat Dim Sum. The whole experience was thoroughly enjoyable, as not only did Andrew and I get the chance to see spots of Tai Po that we had missed but we were also able to develop and cement deeper relationships with the children and their parents. It was very rewarding to see the pupils’ confidence in their own ability to use their English knowledge increase throughout the day, as they participated in conversations in a neutral environment.

Tai Po Market Railway Station Museum.

Enjoying the museum.

Outside Man Mo Temple.

The aftermath of flying fish.

Enjoying some Dim Sum.

The Jockey Club’s English Drama Society took part in a production of ‘Shakespeare: A worldwide classroom’, at the weekend and Andrew and I had the immense privilege of being involved. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was the particular Shakespearean play that was brought to life on stage, through the efforts of four different primary schools and one secondary school. The students had been participating in a total of 10 workshops over the past three months in preparation for the final performance in front of an audience of 600 people. I was unbelievably proud of the children who I have been getting to know through several different activities in school and extensively amazed at their ability not only to do a play in their second or third language but to do a Shakespearean play, involving old English, in their second or third language. Professionally, I feel that this experience has given me a great insight into the use of theatre to develop many personal qualities and many aspects of the English language for every child, especially ESL learners, through an enjoyable, relaxed and rewarding medium. I have also gained a taste of how investing time in activities like these can benefit the working partnerships directly between staff members, as well as with parents. 

No nerves for these professionals.

Getting ready backstage.

Final performance.

It is after experiences like this week, both in and outside of school that make me want to fulfil the role of a teacher, as I can be involved not only in the educational aspect of a child’s life but in the deliverance and development of a variety of life skills.