CLASSROOM OBSERVATION FOR English Language Professors

[English Language Professors]

Fortunately, in an era of action research the prevailing attitude
toward observations is changing. Teachers are coming to understand
that seeing one’s actions through another’s eyes is an indispensable
tool for classroom research as well as a potentially enlightening
experience for both observer and observee. Before you get into the
nasty habit of filling your time with everything else, why not carve
out some time in your work schedule to visit other teachers and to
invite reciprocity? As long as such visits pose no undue complication
in schedules and other institutional constraints, you will reap
rewarding benefits as you gain new ideas, keep fresh, and sharpen your
own skills.
A second form of observation,which can be very effective in different
ways, is self- observation. Actually, self-observation is no more than
a systematic process of monitoring yourself, but it’s the systematic
part that is crucial. It requires discipline and perseverance, but the
results are worth it.

[English Language Professors]

How do you go about observing yourself?

[English Language Professors]

Select an element of your teaching to “keep an eye out for” as you
teach.
Make sure it’s one finite element, like teacher talk, eye contact,
teaching predominantly to one side of the classroom, or chalkboard
work. If you try to
take in too mani’ things, you could end up becoming too self-conscious
to the detriment of the rest of the lesson.

[English Language Professors]

Monitor that particular element during the class period. If you can,
videotape yourself (or have someone come in and operate the camera).

[English Language Professors]

After class, set aside a few moments to give these elements careful
assessment.