FAREWELL CEREMONY

 

A Sweet and Unforgettable Farewell: SEA-Teacher Goodbye at USLS

    Monday, February 17, 2025, was a day full of mixed emotions, happiness, gratitude, and a little bit of sadness. Our farewell ceremony at the University of St. La Salle was attended by education students, lecturers, and fellow SEA-Teacher participants. It was such a special moment because we gathered together for the last time, looking back on all the amazing experiences we had over the past few weeks.

    From the very first day, USLS already felt like a second home. Every class we taught, every interaction with the students, and all the guidance from the lecturers gave us so many valuable lessons. We didn’t just learn how to be better teachers—we found a new family in a warm and supportive environment.

    During the farewell event, there were many emotional moments. Some of us gave short speeches, sharing our experiences and gratitude. A few even got teary-eyed, feeling the weight of the goodbyes. We also received certificates as a token of appreciation for our participation in the SEA-Teacher program.

    But the most memorable part was the time we spent with the students and lecturers before leaving. We chatted, took photos, and tried to capture every last moment together, wishing we could make time slow down just a little.

    Even though this farewell marked the end of our time at USLS, we knew it wasn’t really goodbye. The friendships and memories we created here will always stay in our hearts. We’re leaving with so many lessons, experiences, and of course, the passion to keep growing as future educators. See you again, USLS!❤️

TEACHING PRACTICE

 

Teaching Practice Experience 

Introduction

    During my teaching practice with SEA Teachers, I had the opportunity to teach English to first-grade students at the University of St. La Salle Integrated School. This was an exciting and completely new experience for me because I had to interact with young learners and adjust my teaching style to fit their needs.

    My teaching practice lasted for two days: February 11 in Grade 1A and February 12 in Grade 1B. Each class had its own dynamics, and I had to adapt quickly to engage all the students effectively. Throughout this experience, I learned a lot about classroom management, how to keep students engaged, and how to use different teaching methods to make learning fun and meaningful.

    What made this experience even more special was the chance to teach in a different country with a different learning environment. It was interesting to see how students responded to different activities and how their enthusiasm for learning made teaching more enjoyable. This experience helped me grow not only as a teacher but also as a learner, as I had to think on my feet and adjust my strategies to meet the needs of my students.

Teaching Methodology

    In both Grade 1A and Grade 1B, I used a student-centered teaching approach to make learning interactive and fun. The lesson theme was "My Future Self," where students learned about different professions and shared their dreams for the future. To make the lesson more engaging, I combined storytelling, visual aids, and interactive activities. Here’s how I structured my lesson:

Opening Activities:

• Greeting the students warmly and starting with a short prayer led by the homeroom teacher.
• Introducing myself again and explaining that I would be their teacher for the day.
• Asking students about what they already knew about the topic.

Lesson Presentation:

• Introducing the topic "My Future Self" using pictures and simple questions.
• Teaching new vocabulary related to different jobs (doctor, teacher, pilot, etc.).
• Using storytelling to explain different professions and their roles in society.

Student Activities:

• Individual Task: Students worked on a worksheet with questions and pictures related to the topic.

Assessment & Feedback:

• Asking simple questions to check students’ understanding.
• Encouraging students to share their thoughts about the lesson.
• Giving positive feedback and constructive suggestions to help them improve.

Closing:

• Summarizing the lesson and encouraging students to keep dreaming big.
• Having a short reflection where students shared what they learned.
• Thanking the students and closing with a farewell and a prayer.

Classroom Management and Challenges

    Managing a class full of young learners required patience and flexibility. Some students were very energetic, while others were shy and needed encouragement. One of the biggest challenges I faced was having a student with special needs in the class, which required me to give extra attention and adjust my teaching style to make sure they felt included.

Reflection and Key Takeaways

    These two days of teaching practice gave me a deeper understanding of how to engage young learners in an English class. I learned that:

• Using visual aids and interactive activities makes a huge difference in student participation.
• Encouragement and positive feedback help build students' confidence.
• Good classroom management is key to keeping students focused and involved in the lesson.

    Overall, this experience helped me become a more confident and adaptable teacher. I am truly grateful for this opportunity because it allowed me to practice and improve my teaching skills in a real classroom setting. Teaching young learners in a different country was a rewarding challenge, and I hope to apply everything I’ve learned to future teaching experiences.

    This journey has also made me realize how much I enjoy working with children. Their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm made each lesson fun and memorable. I’m excited to continue growing as a teacher and exploring new ways to create meaningful learning experiences for my students.

EXPLORING BACOLOD

 

Exploring Bacolod: The Ruins & The Pink House – A Journey Through History

    Today was such an exciting day because I got to explore some of Bacolod’s most famous historical sites with one of the lecturers from University of St. La Salle. This trip was the perfect mix of history, culture, and breathtaking views!

The Ruins: A Timeless Beauty

    Our first stop was The Ruins, one of the most iconic landmarks in Bacolod. It’s often called “The Taj Mahal of Negros” because of its beautiful story. It was built in the early 1900s by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy sugar baron, as a tribute to his late wife. Sadly, during World War II, Filipino guerrillas burned it down to stop Japanese forces from using it. What remains today is a stunning, well-preserved ruin that stands as a symbol of love and resilience.

    Walking through the remains of this grand mansion was an unforgettable experience. The tall pillars, intricate details, and the way the sunlight hits the old walls made the place feel magical. The beautifully maintained gardens surrounding the mansion made it even more special. It’s truly a must-visit spot if you’re ever in Bacolod!

The Pink House: A Hidden Gem

    After exploring The Ruins, we moved on to another historical site—The Pink House. Unlike The Ruins, this house is still standing strong and has been preserved as a cultural heritage site. The Pink House is a colonial-era mansion known for its unique pastel-pink color. It was once home to an influential family during the Spanish and American colonial periods and stepping inside felt like traveling back in time.

    The interior was filled with antique furniture, old photographs, and beautifully carved wooden details that showcased the elegance of the past. Every corner of this house had a story from the hand-carved wooden staircase to the classic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It was amazing to see how well-maintained the house is while still holding onto its historical charm.

A Memorable Trip

    This wasn’t just an ordinary sightseeing trip, it was a deep dive into Bacolod’s rich history and cultural heritage. Both The Ruins and The Pink House have completely different stories, yet they are equally fascinating, from love and tragedy to legacy and preservation.

    As the day came to an end, I felt so grateful for this experience. Bacolod isn’t just about modern city life, it has so many historical treasures waiting to be explored. Today was a perfect reminder of how important it is to cherish and preserve the beauty of the past!

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

 

Chinese New Year Celebration with International Students: A Day Full of Fun, Culture, and Friendship

    Today was an incredibly special day as we got to celebrate Chinese New Year at Catholic Ming Yuan College with international students from USLS. The event was filled with exciting activities, cultural exchanges, and lots of fun moments that brought all of us closer together.

    Our day started with a relaxing yoga session, where we stretched and practiced breathing exercises to set a calm and peaceful mood for the day. It was a great way to refresh our minds and bodies before jumping into the rest of the activities.

    Next, we got our hands a little dirty with some gardening, learning about different plants and how to take care of them. It was a refreshing experience, especially since we were working together with students from different backgrounds. After that, we tried fishing, which turned out to be both fun and challenging! Some of us managed to catch fish, while others simply enjoyed the peaceful surroundings by the water.

    By lunchtime, everyone had worked up a good appetite, and we all sat down together to enjoy a delicious meal. This was a great time to chat, share stories, and get to know each other better. It was interesting to hear about everyone’s experiences as international students and their perspectives on studying in the Philippines.

    After lunch, we went on a school tour, where we explored the different parts of Catholic Ming Yuan College. It was fascinating to see the learning environment and facilities, especially since the school has such a strong cultural and educational atmosphere.

    To wrap up the celebration, we had a gift exchange, where each of us received a little surprise from another participant. It was a heartwarming moment that symbolized friendship and the spirit of sharing, making the event even more meaningful.

    One of the best parts of this celebration was the diversity of the participants. We had students from South Korea (3), Japan (1), Ireland (1), Malaysia (2), and Indonesia (3), creating a truly international environment. From 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, we spent the entire day bonding, celebrating, and making unforgettable memories.

    This Chinese New Year celebration was definitely one of the highlights of our journey! It wasn’t just about the activities, it was about the connections we made, the cultures we learned about, and the incredible experience of celebrating a meaningful tradition with people from all over the world.