, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
QUESTION 1: School Placement
1.1. As part of this assignment, you are required to attach a letter from the teaching practice
office confirming your placement in the school of your choice where you will do your teaching
practice. All TPS3703 students are required to complete their teaching practice in a high school
and teach one major subject in the FET phase (Grades 10- 12). Attaching the confirmation letter
of placement from the teaching practice will account for 10% of the total mark for this
assignment. No assignment will be marked without the confirmation of placement.
Attach your letter here
, 1.2. Reflection-in-Action
During the second week (first 10 days) of practical teaching, write a fifteen-page teaching
statement outlining the importance of teaching practice and teaching in general.
The importance of teaching practice to you
Teaching practice holds profound significance for me as a student teacher in South Africa, especially
as I work with learners in Grades 4 to 7 during this critical stage of their educational development. It
represents far more than a compulsory academic requirement; it is a transformative journey of
professional and personal growth. Engaging directly with learners in a real classroom environment
has allowed me to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering a dynamic context in which
pedagogical concepts come alive. While the university has provided me with a solid theoretical
foundation, teaching practice is where I begin to internalize and apply these concepts meaningfully.
It is through teaching practice that I truly start to understand classroom dynamics, the diversity of
learner needs, and the art of adapting lesson plans to suit real-time situations. It is also where I
confront the realities of limited resources, learner diversity, and the socio-economic challenges that
are common in many South African schools, especially in under-resourced communities.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching practice is the opportunity it provides for me to reflect
critically on my teaching methods and interactions with learners. Each lesson presents a new
challenge or success that pushes me to evaluate and refine my practice. I become more aware of the
power of communication, the importance of clear instructions, and the impact of positive
reinforcement. For learners in Grades 4 to 7, who are at a developmental stage marked by increasing
independence and cognitive growth, my ability to scaffold learning experiences becomes particularly
vital. Teaching practice helps me to experiment with various instructional strategies, such as
inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, and differentiated instruction, to find out what works
best for different groups of learners. It is during these moments that I realize teaching is not a
one-size-fits-all profession, but rather a constantly evolving process that demands creativity,
flexibility, and empathy.
Moreover, teaching practice allows me to gain firsthand experience with curriculum implementation,
assessment strategies, and classroom management—all of which are essential competencies for a
professional educator. Understanding how to align lesson objectives with curriculum standards and
how to assess learner performance in a fair and constructive manner are skills that cannot be fully
grasped through textbooks alone. The classroom becomes a living laboratory where I can test and
refine these skills under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers. I learn how to design engaging
lesson plans that not only cover the content but also inspire curiosity and critical thinking. I become
more adept at managing time effectively, pacing lessons appropriately, and using questioning
techniques to stimulate discussion and reflection among learners.
Equally important is the development of my professional identity. Teaching practice immerses me in
the culture of a school community, exposing me to the roles and responsibilities of a teacher beyond
the classroom. I begin to understand the importance of collaboration with colleagues, the
significance of engaging with parents and guardians, and the value of participating in school events
and extracurricular activities. These experiences shape my sense of belonging in the profession and
affirm my commitment to education as a lifelong vocation. As a future teacher in South Africa, I am
acutely aware of the broader societal role I will play in addressing educational inequalities and
empowering young people to become active, informed citizens. Teaching practice instills in me a
sense of responsibility and urgency to make a meaningful contribution to the education system.
QUESTION 1: School Placement
1.1. As part of this assignment, you are required to attach a letter from the teaching practice
office confirming your placement in the school of your choice where you will do your teaching
practice. All TPS3703 students are required to complete their teaching practice in a high school
and teach one major subject in the FET phase (Grades 10- 12). Attaching the confirmation letter
of placement from the teaching practice will account for 10% of the total mark for this
assignment. No assignment will be marked without the confirmation of placement.
Attach your letter here
, 1.2. Reflection-in-Action
During the second week (first 10 days) of practical teaching, write a fifteen-page teaching
statement outlining the importance of teaching practice and teaching in general.
The importance of teaching practice to you
Teaching practice holds profound significance for me as a student teacher in South Africa, especially
as I work with learners in Grades 4 to 7 during this critical stage of their educational development. It
represents far more than a compulsory academic requirement; it is a transformative journey of
professional and personal growth. Engaging directly with learners in a real classroom environment
has allowed me to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering a dynamic context in which
pedagogical concepts come alive. While the university has provided me with a solid theoretical
foundation, teaching practice is where I begin to internalize and apply these concepts meaningfully.
It is through teaching practice that I truly start to understand classroom dynamics, the diversity of
learner needs, and the art of adapting lesson plans to suit real-time situations. It is also where I
confront the realities of limited resources, learner diversity, and the socio-economic challenges that
are common in many South African schools, especially in under-resourced communities.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching practice is the opportunity it provides for me to reflect
critically on my teaching methods and interactions with learners. Each lesson presents a new
challenge or success that pushes me to evaluate and refine my practice. I become more aware of the
power of communication, the importance of clear instructions, and the impact of positive
reinforcement. For learners in Grades 4 to 7, who are at a developmental stage marked by increasing
independence and cognitive growth, my ability to scaffold learning experiences becomes particularly
vital. Teaching practice helps me to experiment with various instructional strategies, such as
inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, and differentiated instruction, to find out what works
best for different groups of learners. It is during these moments that I realize teaching is not a
one-size-fits-all profession, but rather a constantly evolving process that demands creativity,
flexibility, and empathy.
Moreover, teaching practice allows me to gain firsthand experience with curriculum implementation,
assessment strategies, and classroom management—all of which are essential competencies for a
professional educator. Understanding how to align lesson objectives with curriculum standards and
how to assess learner performance in a fair and constructive manner are skills that cannot be fully
grasped through textbooks alone. The classroom becomes a living laboratory where I can test and
refine these skills under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers. I learn how to design engaging
lesson plans that not only cover the content but also inspire curiosity and critical thinking. I become
more adept at managing time effectively, pacing lessons appropriately, and using questioning
techniques to stimulate discussion and reflection among learners.
Equally important is the development of my professional identity. Teaching practice immerses me in
the culture of a school community, exposing me to the roles and responsibilities of a teacher beyond
the classroom. I begin to understand the importance of collaboration with colleagues, the
significance of engaging with parents and guardians, and the value of participating in school events
and extracurricular activities. These experiences shape my sense of belonging in the profession and
affirm my commitment to education as a lifelong vocation. As a future teacher in South Africa, I am
acutely aware of the broader societal role I will play in addressing educational inequalities and
empowering young people to become active, informed citizens. Teaching practice instills in me a
sense of responsibility and urgency to make a meaningful contribution to the education system.
