scholarly journals Peer Observation of Language Teaching: A Reflective Approach to Teaching

Author(s):  
Anna Nunan

Peer observation of teaching has increasingly been considered as a means of promoting reflective practice for language teachers. An interactive model is critical to the success of the observation process as it is structured, supportive and emphasises choice, control and observation between equals. The insistence on an information flow aimed at the observed helps reaffirm the idea that observation is not an administrative exercise but a beneficial process for the teacher and learner. If peer observation can uncover some of the assumptions teachers use to shape language teaching, including the resistance to teaching as an open practice, an improvement of existing approaches to language teaching may be within reach.

RELC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003368822097737
Author(s):  
Joshua Matthews

This article explores how the analysis of inter-rater discourse can be used to support collective reflective practice in second language (L2) assessment. To demonstrate, a focused case of the discourse between two experienced language teachers as they negotiate assessment decisions on L2 written texts is presented. Of particular interest was the discourse surrounding the raters’ most divergent assessment decisions, which in this case were those relating to Task Achievement. Thematic analysis indicated that rater discourse predominantly focused on explicit objective factors, primarily the L2 texts and the rating scale; however, rater discourse also focused on more subjective, rater-centred factors. The discourse surrounding these rater-centred factors was often central to the identification and resolution of rating disagreements. The paper argues that the subjective dimension of language assessment needs to be more directly and systematically reflected upon in language teaching contexts and that analysis of rater discourse, especially discourse focused on points of disagreement between raters, provides a valuable mechanism to facilitate this.


Author(s):  
Siti Noor Aneeis Hashim ◽  
Nurahimah Mohd Yusoff

<span>The purpose of this study was to explore the use of reflective practice by English language teachers in providing effective English language teaching in primary school classrooms. This qualitative case study involving six in-service English language teachers who were selected based on purposive sampling. The data in this study were collected using teachers’ reflection logs and a series of semi-structured interviews with the English language teachers. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes based on the codes gathered from the interviews and teachers’ reflections logs. The results showed that the English language teachers used reflective practice erstwhile in preparing and providing effective English language teaching for the students. They reviewed what has been accomplished and identify constructive guidelines to follow to succeed in the future teaching. They have also been doing variations of changes in teaching based on reflecting on the quality of instruction, levels of instruction, using incentive to motivate the students and managing time equally in teaching and learning process to help the children in learning English language. Since there is no clear guideline for teachers who use reflective practice in their classes, this study provided some insights on the preparations and the use of reflective practice as part of their teaching and learning process.</span>


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooshang Khoshsima ◽  
Aminollah Shirnejad ◽  
Sajjad Farokhipour ◽  
Jaseb Rezaei

The emergence of reflective thinking in humanities touched the field of language teaching deeply. Language teaching in EFL contexts was not far from this effect, where reflection on teaching has gained a lot of attention and research in the last decade. To bring to light the different dimensions of reflective thinking in language teaching, the current study was an attempt to examine the effects of years of professional experience on practicing reflective teaching in Iranian context. To this aim, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was adopted including 29 items investigating five different dimensions of reflective teaching including practical, cognitive, affective, meta-cognitive, and critical dimensions. As our subjects, 62 EFL teachers participated in this study with 1 to 26 years of professional experience who were classified in 5 different experience groups. The results of the study showed no significant difference among 5 experience groups of teachers in their commitment to reflective practice in language classrooms.


1987 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil J. Connell

The teaching procedures that are commonly used with language-disordered children do not entirely match the goals that they are intended to achieve. By using a problem-solving approach to teaching language rules, the procedures and goals of language teaching become more harmonious. Such procedures allow a child to create a rule to solve a simple language problem created for the child by a clinician who understands the conditions that control the operation of a rule.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Desy Damayanti ◽  
Adin Fauzi ◽  
Azizatul Mahfida Inayati

Among some components of effective language classroom, learning materials indisputably play a focal role. They improve the quality of language teaching; facilitate teachers in doing their duties, and lead students to a higher level of understanding in learning. This research aims to discuss the notion of materials in language teaching. It made use of works of literature to outline the importance of materials in language teaching, and to analyze kinds of materials, which are relevant to language teaching. The analysis resulted in the classification of materials into two broad categories namely (1) created materials, which include course book, audio materials, and video materials; and (2) authentic materials, which cover authentic texts, movie/film, radio broadcasting, television program, graphs, maps, tables, and charts. This paper serves as an invaluable resource to facilitate language teachers in selecting appropriate materials for effective language teaching.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Femmy Tresje Pelealu

This study is conducted in order to describe the development model ofconstructivistic teaching in Indonesian language for the sake of maximizing thestudents’ attitude in critical thinking. Operationally this study is done inorder to describe the concept and strategy model and the materials of constructivisticIndonesian language teaching developed by the teachers in SMP Negeri 1 Rembokenfor the sake of maximizing the students’ attitude in critical thinking. TheIndonesian language teachers’ concept on the planning and the conduction ofconstructivistic teaching related to what Indonesian language teaching is, howthe textbook and the materials are used, the purpose of Indonesian languageteaching is, the role of the teacher, the role of the students in the teachingand learning process, the use of teaching methods and media, and the procedureof the conduction of constructivistic Indonesian language teaching and learningprocess in the classroom, was not done by the teachers when they were observed.Their constructivistic teaching attitude is very minimal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-193
Author(s):  
Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez

AbstractThis article explores the agency of the student in translation in language teaching and learning (or TILT). The purpose of the case study discussed here is to gain an overview of students’ perceptions of translation into the foreign language (FL) (also known as “inverse translation”) following a module on language and translation, and to analyse whether there is any correlation between students’ attitude to translation, its impact on their language learning through effort invested, and the improvement of language skills. The results of the case study reveal translation to be a potentially exciting skill that can be central to FL learning and the analysis gives indications of how and why language teachers may optimise the implementation of translation in the classroom. The outcome of the study suggests that further research is needed on the impact of translation in the language classroom focussing on both teachers’ expectations and students’ achievements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
Jayson Parba

Engaging in critical dialogues in language classrooms that draw on critical pedagogical perspectives can be challenging for learners because of gaps in communicative resources in their L1 and L2. Since critically oriented classrooms involve discussing social issues, students are expected to deploy “literate talk” to engage in critiquing society and a wide range of texts. Although recent studies have explored teachers’ and students’ engagement with critical materials and critical dialogues, research that explores language development in critical language teaching remains a concern for language teachers. In this paper, I share my experience of fostering language development, specifically the overt teaching of critical vocabulary to students of (Tagalog-based) Filipino language at a university in Hawai’i. Through a discussion of racist stereotypes targeting Filipinos and the impacts of these discourses on students’ lived experiences, the notion of “critical vocabulary” emerges as an important tool for students to articulate the presence of and to dismantle oppressive structures of power, including everyday discourses supporting the status quo. This paper defines critical vocabulary and advances its theoretical and practical contribution to critical language teaching. It also includes students’ perspectives of their language development and ends with pedagogical implications for heritage/world language teachers around the world.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel Dos Santos

<p>The<strong> </strong>purpose of the research is to explore the development of peer-observation programme for the use of an extension language school in Hong Kong. The research objectives were to explore teachers’ perceptions on a peer observation programme as a means to improve teaching practice, examine how teachers make sense of the peer observation programme after they have taken part in it and to suggest alternative approaches and measures by which schools can improve peer observation programmes in schools.</p><p>Data was collected from six teachers who participated in peer observation programme in Hong Kong through an interview process. The research has found out that peer observation can be a good tool for continuous professional development for teachers in order to develop their teaching strategies. This is especially important within the field of language education. From the analysis, most teachers are wary of the practicalities of peer observation due to the sensitivity that is associated with it. The research also found out that teachers think that if the peer observation approach is well developed, it can be potentially interesting or generate excitement among teachers.</p>


1997 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-118
Author(s):  
Joan Kelly Hall

This collection of 28 papers was first presented at the 1994 GURT. The theme of the conference was educational linguistics, crosscultural communication, and global interdependence. The vastness of the theme is reflected in the diversity of the chapter topics. Twelve of 28 deal with curricular issues. Of these, those by Kachru, Nyikos, D. Freeman, van Lier, Loew, and Richards discuss issues and concerns broadly related to the preparation of language teachers. D. Freeman's chapter is worthy of note because it offers an interesting discussion on the various strands of scholarship, which he suggests comprise the knowledge base of language teaching. Six of the 12 chapters center on curricular issues for the language classroom. Matters relating to the teaching of culture are dealt with by Oxford and Bamgbose. Brown discusses “responsive language teaching.” Citkina reports on innovative foreign language methods recently introduced in the Ukraine. A good discussion on computer-mediated communication and its usefulness to the language classroom is offered by Stauffer. Pica provides an excellent overview of the research on task-related learning and an equally useful discussion of its pedagogical implications.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document