University of Delaware
English Language Institute
Willard Hall

Dr. Scott Stevens

Wed 06-21-2006
09:00 am

Systematic Classroom Observation for ESL/EFL Instructors

Dr. Stevens started the session by handing out some sheets with optical illusion to let us notice that not everything we see is correct in the way we see it. We should concentrate more and look from different angles and then we can judge. A Paradigm is the way we look at things.Our own approach to a topic or a lesson plan is not the only way. We need to look at the others.
Then he discussed the components of reflective teaching. He talked about planning, instruction, management and interpersonal relations. We discussed each point thoroughly and came up with different conclusions.

After that he gave us the following questions to discuss in groups:

1- Why did you become a teacher?

2- Who inspires you in performing your teaching philosophy?

3- What is your best quality as a teacher?

4- What are the inconsistancies between what you believe and what you do in the classroom?

He also talked about the many hats the teacher wears in performing his job approperiately.These hats differ according to the role he is taking. Somethimes he is a manager, a director, an actor...etc. Sometimes he is wearing more than one hat at the same time.

Then he gave us some time to individually brainstorm some answers to the following question:

What area of teaching do you like to grow in?

Every participant expressed his/her thoughts and beliefs about the best area he/she would like to grow in.

Dr. Stevens explaned the following observation types as well:

1- Supervisor observation.

2- Peer observation.

3- Student observation.

4- Self-observation.

Finally he suggested offering students a sheet of paper to reflect on their own points of view and share class observation.