So much for a little professor...

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I'm in college studying modern languages because I want to do a Master's degree in translation and become a translator eventually, but I have to do a thesis and a practicum as a teacher to get my degree, because technically it's an education major.

I finished the assistantship, but now begins the practicum as such, and I'm absolutely terrified. I've cried at the school even. I feel sick, and I'm afraid I won't be able to graduate because I just can't take this, but I really want to have my degree and earn my life as a translator. And the thesis, well, it's not going well either. Now, this is a part of any career, but there are an awful lot of social skills involved and it's still scary. Also, it has to be about education, so no translating or anything. I'm doing my best, I'm glad I've made it to this point and I hope I do get to graduate, but on the other hand, I feel it's getting to be too much for me.

How about a thesis about educating children with Autism? What grade do you have to teach in? You may want to try some volunteering to get your groove and work more behind the scenes. Just an idea. I was a nervous wreck too, during my first week of in-class work experience. It's all part of learning and it wasn't so bad after all. The younger the kids, the better. IMO See if you can arrange that.

I had to cancel my practicum this semester, and take it the next one. I'm just not able to do it right now, at least not until I can bring my anxiety levels down. I had to teach in seventh and ninth grade, which was a little intimidating for me.

I wish I could work more behind the scenes. I would happily spend the whole semester grading papers and notebooks, which teachers hate to do themselves. Unfortunately I think that arrangement isn't completely possible, but I think I'll get to negociate what grades to teach in (I'd much rather teach grade school), I hope.

A thesis about teaching English as a foregin language to children with autism would be really interesting. I'm thinking about how to do it, because I don't know institutions or groups for autistic people/parents here in Colombia, and I'll have to search really hard.