Last class: Feedback from Miss Elvira.

I would like to publish the feedback Micaela and me received after our last class because I think it illustrates quite well our performance and provides another perspective different from our own.

Here you have it!

Hi Vanesa and Micaela!!
I really liked your class! You were very energetic and I loved the fact that you spoke tons of English!!! And sts understood you!!! And you made yourselves understood!
-I liked the poster as the visual aid you referred to in order to provide some orientation to the sts. Great resource! Just keep in mind that whenever you make a worksheet with pictures, it’s better to number the pics, so that whenever you want to refer back to them you say “number 3”, not “that one, over here”.
-As regards your choice of pictures for the making of sentences exercise, please make sure that the sentences you intend your sts to produce have MEANING, not say items just because. I honestly don’t believe that a sentence like “I like wearing shoes in the hot summer because they are big” is meaningful ----nor true!!!!
-I would like you to have some examples ready before you actually tell the sts to do the exercises. These examples should be similar to, but different sentences from the set of exercises you give the sts (otherwise you’d be depriving them of the oh so necessary practice!). This applies to all the exercises I saw you do today, including the game…
-Micaela: please, please PLEASE practice your handwriting on the board!!! You were very messy in the organisation of the information, and there were problems with size, font, grammar (the chart was difficult to interpret) and even spelling!! (“She liskes”?) . This is not a minor concern, remember that boards are almost surely your main resource when you teach!!!!!!!!!
-When you play jeopardy, or any games, on the board, please do not forget to add some references, especially if you want the sts to choose from a set of giant flashcards like today: you could have divided them into columns (a, b, c, d) and each column have a number (1,2,3) . The way that part of the game was conducted was not very good.

A B C D
1
2
3
4

-I liked that Vanesa decided to use the extra 5 min. to re-review the exercises she saw that didn’t work at the beginning of class. Nevertheless, Vanesa, you should try to make yourself understood using a lot more exemplification, not just repeat the same words over and over, or saying the sentences exactly as they are in the photocopy! Remember you cannot ask your sts to produce something unless you have provided them with a multitude of examples that will illustrate what you want them to do and how! Also, please Vanesa, try not to get too impatient with them. Sts are special at detecting and manipulating teachers!! They’ll love it if you show them impatience, and make you “suffer” more!
I must say that I was really delighted at your class, though! You are very resourceful, and you keep sts busy in engaging activities, encouraging them along the way, and paying attention to them all. I really liked your energy and the way you made sure noone was left out!
Well done, girls! (and btw, Happy Birthday, Vanesa!)
E.