Professional skills I have learned from the Practicum and the whole TESOL program

After all, Enrolling in the Tesol program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) in Ho Chi Minh City is the most significant decision in my life because it has brought for me many valuable opportunities to shape my teaching career and my self-development. Therefore, I really appreciate the learning course, and the practicum because of their enormous value. Besides, I am grateful to all the sophisticated lecturers who themselves have been teaching and guiding me throughout the course. 

​

 Firstly, I have gained a great deal of knowledge of the course. It helps me develop advanced professional skills such as conducting needs analyses and evaluating, adapting, and designing teaching and learning resources. In particular, I have improved my research skills significantly. For example, I know how to search for reliable information and articles to analyze and synthesize them. I also know how to research to solve teaching and learning problems that may occur in my teaching process. Furthermore, during the course, I have learned several teaching techniques, and teaching technologies and how to apply them in real teaching contexts immediately. Thus, the course works effectively for me. 

Secondly, the practicum had gone, but it is always alive in my memory because of its considerable advantages. As one of the presenters for the poster "Perceptions of the Debate Activity Grade 9 Intensive English Program," I gave a short presentation and answered the participants' questions. As a result, it helped me improve both my presentation and public speaking abilities. I trained myself to build a connection with other members and teachers to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment by employing various presentation tactics, such as asking questions to engage the audience. This activity helped me improve my body language, confidence, and public speaking skills. 

​

Moreover, I had an opportunity to observe one class at Nha Trang University, and I was impressed by the lecturer's teaching method. She used many teaching methods to force her students' learning ability and create many chances for them to speak English in class. She always put her students in the center and was fair with every student. Besides that, I also enhanced my teamwork skills while I had to collaborate with my teammates to design the lesson plan, assign tasks, and support each other. During this stage, I had a great time with them. I understood and connected with my teammates more. 

​

Fourthly, the practicum also gave me a chance to put all of my knowledge and teaching abilities to use. The lesson was successfully implemented by my group despite the time constraints, with the enthusiastic help of my supervisors, Dr. Nu Anh and Miss Oanh. To provide a good lesson, I must have a clear understanding of the students' skill levels in order to develop appropriate lesson plans and employ effective teaching strategies  and select authentic learning materials that will encourage students to participate in class and properly digest what is being taught. 

​

In conclusion, I had plenty of chances to practice and develop my teaching skills in the practicum trip, and I learned many useful things from my teachers and my teammates. For me, this trip ended perfectly even though the Practicum had its challenges, what I learned was meaningful and beneficial.