Professional Statement

According to Recine (2018), practicum refers to experiences that teacher

trainees have in the classroom before they take on the full range of responsibilities
required for student teaching. Practicum teachers partner with a professional teacher
who directs their activities and gives them feedback on any work they do.

My personal perception towards practicum is that it would be fun and

interesting as I like to practice theories more than memorizing them. At the same
time, I felt quite overwhelmed and sometimes doubtful of my capabilities to handle a
real classroom and teaching pupils in real life. As I had taught in primary school as a
substitute teacher before being enrolled in the IPG PPISMP program, I found out that
classroom management is one of my weaknesses that I would like to improve.

Therefore, I approached a few of my family members who are teachers as

well as friends who had gone through their practicums from other IPG. They gave me
some constructive advice such as things I should do when I first enter the class. For
example, make my expectations and classroom rules clear to the pupils and carry out
a diagnosis test to check my pupils’ level of proficiency in English. They also
reminded me to be polite, helpful and friendly to all authorities, staffs, teachers and
workers in the school. After I listened and took notes from them, I was more confident
and ready for my first practicum.

Before we went for our holidays in June, the practicum unit in our campus had
provided us a few sessions of practicum briefing. During the briefings, I was exposed
to information related to practicum such as practicum period, schedule and marking
system. We also registered ourselves on the MyPoroms during one of the sessions.
Besides, I also received a book for lesson plans and a file for practicum portfolio. I
prepared and completed the necessary paperwork for my practicum portfolio, based
on what I knew then.

The school that I am going to have practicum is at SK Bukit Pantai. I am

thankful that it is just a three-minute drive away from my hostel. The practicum phase
is from 11/6 to 6/9. It would be a three-month whole new nerve-wrecking yet valuable
experience. I hope I can gain as much knowledge and skills as I can from the people
and other practicum mates there.
Reference:

Recine, D. (2018). Student Teaching vs. Practicum. Retrieved from

https://go.magoosh.com/schools-blog/student-teaching-vs.-practicum