from the information bellow, write an short oral presentation on my internship as an english teaching assitant: 1. Introduction
● Purpose of the internship
Completing an internship is an essential requirement for every final-year university student. While students may have accumulated sufficient amounts of knowledge, without exposure to real-world scenarios, the results will not be optimal. In particular, students majoring in English, with emphasis on translation and interpretation, may face challenges in their future work if they fail to improve their English communication and translation skills early on in their career. As such, the graduation internship period of two months holds significant importance for such students.
The internship experience provides students with the opportunity to interact with the actual working environment, gain work experience and apply their knowledge, supplement their shortcomings, and perfect their skills. For many students, it provides an initial stepping stone to secure future employment without being overwhelmed or confused by the unfamiliar working environment.
Internships are vital for students seeking to gain practical knowledge and problem-solving skills that are critical for teaching and are highly sought after by employers. Employers recognize the value of internships as they provide essential skills and experiences students cannot gain in the classroom. In recent years, problem-solving skills and experiences are crucial for individuals seeking employment in almost all industries, especially when it comes to personnel quality.
Participating in an internship serves as an excellent opportunity to test and determine suitable career paths. It provides the perfect platform to discover personal strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and employers can evaluate interns’ potential and suitability for the job. Essentially, an internship is a disguised audition for an organization and the intern.
As an English teaching assistant, I experienced a rewarding and challenging two-month internship as part of Shelton Development Group at Đại Yên Elementary School



 
2. A brief description of the company
Organization
Company’s Name:
SHELTON DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Address:
Tổ 18, Khu 3 Trưng Vương, Uông Bí, Uông Bí, Vietnam
Project name:
Missions:

• To provide high-quality educational services that meet the needs of students in various academic fields
• To create a learning environment that promotes academic excellence and fosters a love for learning
• To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the global arena
• To inspire students to become lifelong learners
• To promote diversity, inclusivity, and cultural awareness among students

Goals:

• To maintain a team of experienced and reputable educators who use innovative teaching methods to enhance students’ academic performance
• To offer a comprehensive range of programs that cater to the needs of students at different levels of education
• To encourage collaboration and teamwork among students
• To provide students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills
• To promote academic excellence and ensure that all students achieve their full potential

Description:
Shelton Foreign Language Center Quang Ninh is a highly-regarded organization renowned for its international standard English courses. The center boasts a team of reputed foreign teachers who are experienced, highly-qualified, and enthusiastic about teaching the English language. The teachers adhere to a proven curriculum that seamlessly integrates modern learning techniques to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience for students of all levels.

The institution’s mission statement is to equip students with the linguistic skillset necessary to assimilate into a globalized world and emerge as global citizens. The center takes pride in providing a conducive and inclusive learning environment, which bolsters and instills confidence, critical thinking, and a culture of professionalism in its students…


3. Internship description
3.1. Specific task & responsibilities
As an English Teaching Assistant at Đại Yên Elementary School, I was responsible for a diverse set of tasks, all aimed at providing the students with the best education possible.

One of my main responsibilities was to assist foreign teachers in preparing lesson plans that were engaging, interactive, and suited to the level and age group of the students. This involved researching, compiling materials, and coordinating with other staff to design activities that catered to the different learning styles and needs of students.

An important aspect of my role was to support classroom management by ensuring that students were engaged and motivated. This included maintaining order and discipline in the classroom, preventing distractions, and keeping an upbeat and positive atmosphere. I achieved this through close collaboration with foreign teachers, using interactive activities, games, and storytelling to keep the students engaged. Additionally, I monitored and recorded student progress, provided feedback to students on their performance, and encouraged them to participate in class discussions.

Assessing students’ language proficiency level was another crucial task I had to perform. This helped me identify the strengths and weaknesses of each student, which I then communicated to the foreign teachers to inform their teaching. I also collaborated with other teachers to develop materials and strategies that supported student learning, such as vocabulary games, grammar exercises, pronunciation practice, and reading comprehension activities.

Creating a syllabus for teaching English to elementary level students was another significant responsibility I had. This involved researching, designing, and implementing a curriculum that was comprehensive, tailored to student needs, and reflective of Vietnamese culture. The curriculum I prepared involved a mixture of writing, speaking, listening, and reading exercises that were based on themes that resonated with the students’ experiences.

Collaboration with other teachers was a key part of my role at Đại Yên Elementary School. I worked closely with other teachers to create an educational program that met the needs of students. This included developing instructional strategies, creating and implementing assessments, and facilitating communication between teachers and students.

Another critical responsibility I had was to develop positive relationships with students, teachers, and administrative staff. This involved being open, respectful, and tolerant of different cultures and perspectives.

Lastly, I actively participated in staff meetings, training programs, and professional development sessions to enhance my understanding of teaching strategies and classroom management techniques. This allowed me to better support the foreign teachers in their work and improve my own skills as an educator.

Overall, the tasks and responsibilities I had at Đại Yên Elementary School required me to be proactive, flexible, and adaptable to a variety of work environments. The role demanded strong communication and organisational skills to perform with efficiency and excellence. This internship has not only developed my skills but also broadened my perspective on different cultures.
Company working-time:
Full-time employments:
- Opening: 8:00 am
- Closing: 4:30 pm
- Breaktime: 10:15 am to 2:00 pm
o Teaching assistance
As an elementary English teaching assistant, I underwent job training and introduction during my first two weeks. This position is crucial as it plays a role in the quality of education and the satisfaction of students. Thus, it requires certain qualifications, including good communication skills, a love for teaching, and patience in dealing with students. I make an effort to acquire new skills by observing how I communicate, gesture, and handle situations, and I receive guidance from my supervisor.

In general, the responsibilities of an elementary English teaching assistant include, but are not limited to:

 Helping the teacher develop lesson plans and activities for students
 Providing one-on-one support to students who require extra help
 Grading papers and assignments
 Communicating with students and parents in English
 Assisting with classroom management

It is important for the assigned assistant to be enthusiastic, friendly, and have good verbal communication skills. They should be able to interact with students from different backgrounds and work effectively in a team. Additionally, they must act responsibly as a representative of the school and the community.
Other general notes:

 Assistance and support between employees to ensure students’ educational needs are met.
 Suggestions and feedback that may help improve the educational experience are considered after the scheduled lessons have ended.
 Any concerns between staff members should be discussed constructively before being brought to the supervisor’s attention.
 During work hours, personal business is not permitted and mobile phones may only be used for emergencies.
 Being flexible and proactive to adjust to last-minute changes.
 Time management skills are necessary to help maintain the pace of lessons.

3.2. Internship diary

3.2.1. Routine
Throughout my internship, was assigned with work routine that last from 8:00 in the morning through 4:10 in the afternoon. This timetable includes teaching 6 classes daily, 3 in the morning and afternoon respectively. Each class is 35 minutes long, with a break of 15 minutes in between the morning classes and afternoon classes. The time allotted for planning and collaboration with other teachers along with staff meetings are crucial aspects to ensure alignment with the center’s key pedagogical objectives. The time after classes is also dedicated to providing feedback and grading assignments for students and providing additional support where necessary. Lastly, the schedule encompasses a clean-up and shutdown period for the center.

Monday to Friday:

8:00 am - 8:35 am: First Morning Class
8:40 am - 9:15 am: Second Morning Class
9:20 am - 9:55 am: Morning Recess
10:00 am - 10:35 am: Third Morning Class

10:40 am - 2:00 pm: Lesson Planning, grading papers and other tasks assigned by the Head Teacher. Lesson Planning and Collaboration with other Teachers

2:00 pm - 2:35 pm: First Afternoon Class
2:40 pm - 3:15 pm: Second Afternoon Class
3:20 pm - 4:00 pm: Afternoon Recess
4:00 pm - 4:10 pm: Third Afternoon Class
3.3.2 challenges and Difficulty
Developing a Detailed Lesson Plan

One of the challenges I encountered as an English Teaching Assistant was developing a lesson plan that adequately addressed the needs of students from different levels of proficiency. To address this challenge, I created a detailed lesson plan that included clear objectives for each class, segmented lesson breakdowns, flexible teaching procedures that varied from class to class, and numerous assessment tools to provide feedback about student performance. Creating a comprehensive lesson plan helped maintain time management and ensured that the students understood the daily topic, whose discussion was lively.

For instance, when teaching prepositions to Grade 2 students, I used a picture book that contained different scenarios with prepositions. Afterward, we played games that included identifying items in class using prepositions.

Using Interactive Activities to Encourage Learning

Another challenge I faced was keeping students actively engaged during lesson delivery. To overcome this obstacle, I developed and employed interactive activities such as text-based games, songs, picture books, multimedia presentations, and storytelling, among others. These teaching strategies motivated the students’ learning, improved their information retention, and made the lessons more enjoyable.

For instance, when teaching the present continuous tense to grade 5 students, I introduced a song that had examples of the tense in different contexts. We then played a game where the students identified the present continuous tense in a sentence.

Encouraging Student Participation and Engagement

Maintaining student participation can be challenging, especially for students who may be shy or have reserved personalities. To overcome this challenge, I employed various strategies such as asking questions related to the lesson taught and providing ample opportunities for students to participate actively in the classroom’s daily activities. These approaches ensured students were actively engaged and encouraged them to participate fully in the learning process.

For example, when teaching simple past tense to Grade 3 students, I used a well-known childhood story and asked them questions related to the story and the use of the simple past tense in it.

Tailoring Lesson Plans to Student Needs

Another significant challenge I encountered was creating lesson plans that meet students’ various learning preferences, especially when they come from different grades with various levels of proficiency. To overcome this challenge, I incorporated various activities such as worksheets, reading and writing exercises, and illustrations that increased the students’ visualization, memorization, and comprehension abilities.

For example, when teaching adjectives to Grade 1 students, I used a worksheet that contained picture examples of animals with descriptions using different adjectives. The students then had to match the correct animal to its corresponding description.

Developing Classroom Discipline Strategies

Maintaining discipline in a classroom can also be a challenge, especially with students from different backgrounds. To overcome this challenge, I created and communicated clear and concise classroom rules and guidelines that the students were expected to abide by. I also leveraged reinforcement strategies such as issuing positive feedback, providing rewards such as stickers and sweets to promote good behavior, issuing warnings, and employing other corrective disciplinary measures where necessary.

For example, when a student was not following the classroom rules, I would first issue a warning and remind them of the standards. Then, I would move on to apply corrective disciplinary measures such as asking the student to sit away from their classmates or seek assistance from the foreign teacher.
Cultural and Language Barriers
One of the significant challenges I encountered while teaching in a rural area of Vietnam was language and cultural barriers. Most students come from traditional and reserved family backgrounds, making it challenging to communicate effectively and implement Western-style teaching strategies. To overcome this challenge, I had to immerse myself in the Vietnamese culture, learn the language, and design teaching methods that incorporated their way of living.
For example, during a lesson on the food topic, I engaged the students by asking them about their favorite Vietnamese dishes. This approach helped me understand their culture while keeping the topic relevant.
Technology Constraints
Another significant challenge encountered was the availability and use of technology in the classroom. Access to technology such as projectors, computers, and internet services was limited, making it difficult to incorporate multimedia resources in the lesson plans. To overcome this challenge, I had to improvise and use alternative teaching methods, such as paper-based materials and picture books.
For instance, when teaching the vocabulary topic to Grade 4 students, I used picture flashcards to introduce new words and encourage students to identify their meaning.
Teaching Multiple Levels and Age Groups
Teaching multiple levels and age groups can be difficult, particularly when each group has diverse proficiency levels and needs. To overcome this challenge, I developed strategies that were flexible and catered to the specific needs of each group. I also adjusted my approach to account for the different levels while ensuring that each student participated in the lesson actively.
For example, when teaching the present perfect tense to Grade 5 students, I employed a worksheet that allowed the students to practice the concept, while Grade 3 students played word games that reinforced their use of the tense.

3.3. Experience learned from the internship

During my time as an English Teaching Assistant for Shelton Development Group at Đại Yên Elementary School, I gained valuable experience in an educational setting and had the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I learned in my studies. The professional environment at the school, along with the guidance of my colleagues and mentors, allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of teaching strategies and effective communication with students of different ages and backgrounds.

Throughout my internship, I was involved in various tasks, including preparing lesson plans, grading assignments and exams, and assisting the lead teacher in conducting classroom activities. I also helped students improve their English language skills by providing one-on-one tutoring sessions and facilitating group discussions.

Through regular feedback from my supervisor, I was able to identify areas where I excelled and areas where I needed improvement. By taking the initiative to learn from my colleagues and asking for help when needed, I was able to make progress in these areas and contribute to my personal growth and development.

Working as an English Teaching Assistant has strengthened my communication skills in conveying information clearly and listening actively to others. It has also improved my own English language abilities, expanding my vocabulary and grammar knowledge.

Overall, my experience as an English Teaching Assistant with Shelton Development Group at Đại Yên Elementary School has been incredibly rewarding, giving me the chance to grow both personally and professionally while making a positive impact on the lives of my students.

4. Self-evaluation
During my two months as an English Teaching Assistant at Đại Yên Elementary School, I encountered several challenges while fulfilling my responsibilities. I believe that I demonstrated several strengths, but also identified some areas for improvement.
4.1 Strengths:
● Lesson Planning: One of my strengths is creating comprehensive and detailed lesson plans that catered to students with different proficiency levels. These lesson plans helped ensure that the students engaged productively in the lesson, and the objectives were well-articulated.
● Communication Skills: I believe my communication skills were effective in building relationships with students, fellow teachers, and school staff. I was able to communicate effectively despite language and cultural barriers.
● Creativity: One of my strengths was my ability to come up with creative ways to teach English to the students. I leveraged interactive activities, songs, and storytelling that were engaging and helped develop valuable language skills.
● Flexibility: I was flexible in adapting my teaching strategies to cater to different levels of proficiency. This allowed me to customize my lesson plans and methods depending on the students’ needs.
● Cultural Awareness: I showed an aptitude for understanding the Vietnamese culture and appreciated it. I engaged with the students and fellow teachers, showing respect and a willingness to learn from their way of life.
● Patience: During my tenure, some students struggled to comprehend topics, and I demonstrated patience while explaining and helping them comprehend.
● Feedback: I was able to provide constructive feedback to the students on their performance. I provided feedback and suggestions on areas that required improvement, which helped the students improve their language skills.
● Adaptability: Another strength I demonstrated was my ability to adapt to situations, especially when faced with unexpected challenges such as limited resources. I altered teaching methods and lesson plans to create an effective learning environment for the students.
4.2. Areas for Improvement:
● Classroom Management: One of the areas I need to improve on is classroom management. I sometimes found it challenging to establish disciplinary measures that promote the students’ active engagement and keep them focused on the learning process.
● Planning for Group Activities: I noticed that I struggled to plan group activities that catered to all students’ differing abilities. I need to develop strategies to ensure that all students actively participate in the classroom’s group activities.
● Confidence: Another area of improvement is the need to build my confidence level while teaching. I sometimes felt self-conscious when teaching different grade levels. I need to build my confidence to ensure that I provide effective lessons and engage with the students actively.



Conclusion
With the help of my advisor, I have just successfully completed my internship. I want to express my gratitude to SHELTON GROUP DEVELOPMENT once more for welcoming me and constantly providing the ideal environment to complete my internship.
I hope you’re all successful and in good health.
Thank you very much!