Teaching Practice in Lower Secondary Schools

Annotation

Within the course Teaching practice (TP) students will spend two to four weeks at a chosen lower secondary schools where they will be assigned a mentor who will be their guide in the school envorinment. The students will observe 8 lessons in their mentor's lessons and then they will teach 12 classes following the instructions of their mentor. Each of the lessons will be reflected with the mentor and the student will be expected to develop his/her teaching skills based on the mentor's notes, comments and constructive criticism. One of the course requirements is that students keep a propper and detailed record of their TP in the form of a portfolio consisting of several types of documents (e.g. lesson plans, professional self-evaluation, material didactic means used).

The aim of the course is to put to practice all the knowledge, skills the students have acquired until this point together with student's individual dispositions, aptitude and attitude.

As most schools or even mentors can attend to two (or even three) students, in such cases students are encourage to work in pairs and cooperate in the lesson planning, observing each other's lessons and providing each other feedback.

TP is interconnected with the course "Reflective seminar supporting TP" where the students will prepare documentation, personal strategy, observation sheets, etc. which will enable a smoother start of their TP. Students will be able to contact their course teacher to get and online support and advice if need be. After completing the TP, the students will reflect their experience with others and the teacher within the "Reflective seminar".