As I stepped off the plane with my fellow volunteers, we looked around at the foreign scene in front of us. Screens saying, “Welcome.” Others saying, “Youkoso!” Was I really in Japan?

I was. And no amount of language training had prepared me for the barriers I would face in the weeks to come. I struggled to grasp even a drop of the fire hydrant flow of words spoken to me. Someone would ask me a question. I’d sit, dumbfounded, “Uh, uh, uh–” at a loss. How could I even try to answer? I had barely even understood two words!

Headaches ensued. Embarrassment filled every second of every day of my life. How could this be happening? I often wondered. I have studied so hard in class, and was doing so well in the language. Why is it so hard now?

The Ironic Truth

Now, after my first week of student teaching, I am looking back at this experience, and I can say this with conviction:

No matter how much you learn in a classroom, it will not completely prepare you for the actual experience.

I began student teaching confident that I had been adequately prepared. I learned everything there was to know about proper teaching. But, there I was, in the classroom, a little at a loss. I find new situations every day where I am unsure of how to react. What should I do? How do I present myself in these classes? How do I interact with the teachers? Should I say or do something, and risk making a mistake? Or should I sit by and observe my mentor teacher a little longer before I begin to act?

So, here are my tips from the first week of student teaching:

• Time with your mentor is precious. Use planning time to only discuss what is most important–student needs, lesson plans, and strategies.
• Smile a lot.
• Be warm but firm with the students.
• If you see horseplay that doesn’t belong in the classroom, say so. Reinforce that they are inside a classroom and it is not the place for that behavior.
• Keep a planner with lots of space for notes.
• Ask lots of questions.
• Get to know the students by name as soon as possible.
• Don’t EVER speak about students or teachers outside the classroom, even if you don’t mention their names. Word travels fast and people are pretty smart. Confidentiality is key.

Do you have any more tips? Comment below!

Like what you’re reading? Get new content delivered straight to your inbox!