Teacher Observations

Hue,

Personally, I like my classes being observed and having a chance to observe other classes. I think this could generate some great teaching ideas and strategies, while helping you become a better teacher.

The only qualm I have about these observations is that I teach in Japan. I'm usually in the classroom with another English teacher. Prior to these classes, we generally know when people are going to be observing them and the English teacher prepares a 'special lesson' for it. However, these 'special lessons' are nothing but a waste of everyone's time because they don't show what an average class looks like. So, in my particular case, I hate the observed classes.

I don't like them, but I think it's because of how they are done. First of all they happens very seldom - so every time it's something "new" that make me nervous. Second, I feel that I, as a person, am being criticized by adopting this or that way/technique/etc... Third, there's never a precise and specific topic that is analysed. Maybe if I knew that during a month, the teachers would be visited so some specific problem WE face in our classes (and the different solution each eacher got to) could be noted for further discussion - this would put we (teacher) and the observers on the same side. And forth, I would like to have many opportunities to observe other one's lessons - including the observers' lessons 🙂

To me I think when a class is being observed what the observers see is about 20% of what that's teacher's real class is. Once that team or your HOD, boss, colleague, etc comes into the class the lesson is no longer the same. The students as well as the teacher behave in a totally different way. It's like having a guest at home. You naughty child suddenly becomes a very calm one and a nagging spouse so calm and sweet.
A camera would do if people want to see what a teacher's class really looks like. Even in this case the camera would have to be installed without the knowledge of the students and the teachers concerned.
It's like the demo lessons recruiters rely on in order to hire teachers. Just ridiculous!

Yeah... I worked once in Brazil, my home country, where the director of the private school had audio installed in every room! It was so invasive! And he used to go further: he would interrupt the lesson, from his office, to admonish a student misbehaving or a teacher saying something he desagreed! It didn't last very long, because the teachers threatenned to sue him and report him to the Ed. Department. He turned all off.
Can you believe? 🙂

Teaching works best when there is 100% trust.

During my CELTA the observed lessons were so bad that I am sure they hadn't been prepared in advance. Just kidding.
Yes, I agree with one of the statements in the poll, those lessons should be very beneficial for new teachers, and preparing a 'special lesson' for that occasion doesn't sound so bad to me.

btw. Hue, just wanted to say that I liked your website. I printed out almost anything I could find there. 🙂