Job Discussion Forums

[chryanvii]

Maybe I'm making too big of a deal out of this, but my co-teacher today asked me if she could attend my class to observe next week.

Then after I complained to her about it, she told me to read the handbook...of which this policy is in there [wait...do YOUR universities have official teacher handbooks too?]

At my last university, they never did observing, and I was under the general understanding that most universities did not do this.

It's not that I have anything to hide. It's just the whole IDEA of it.

One reason I chose the university lifestyle is for complete autonomy and to get away from this kind of stuff [they would do this at my private training center all the time].

Maybe my school is just a lot more strict and systematic...

[rogerwilco]

One of my college classes was observed last week by five Chinese teachers and one administrator.

At my last college one of my classes was observed by one administrator and one Chinese teacher.

If you are really annoyed by being observed then I guess you could devote part of the class to pronunciation drills........
Doing that would probably not make you very popular with the Chinese teachers.

[igorG]

The pronunciation class for the observation is pretty funny. I'd say a great idea for the local experts to see.

I had my classes observed before a couple of times. One time, when i came to the uni for the first time and one time when i confronted a few lazy students in the class. Either time, the observation was completely unprofessional as i got no official documentation about it, even though the expert observers were writing when in the class.

My suggestion to all FTs that are observed is to fight for an official feedback, which is signed by the observer and you. Then, given the feedback is favorable, you will have something to go on with. Local pros tend to change their views depending on varieties of circumstances. Don't let them beep you up unfairly!

[Guerciotti]

They observed my Business English class and asked why I don't just read the book.

They observed my Writing class twice last school year and suggested I let the students write sentences. We work on composition. I'm lucky, the students write and speak well enough.

We don't have a handbook. I shudder to think what that might contain.

They visit all the FTs classes once a semester so we may be in the minority but you're not the only one.

[7969]

[Miles Smiles]

In a university? Not that I am aware of. I have had people that looked to be a little old show up for one class, then never again.

In 3-year colleges? Yes.

[dean_a_jones]

If they give you notice, I can't really see the problem. You are paid to do a job, and if they want to drop in from time to time, then so be it. What should concern you is the motivation (if you have been teaching for a while, there may be a reason why you are suddenly under observation) and the feedback (what, if anything do they suggest or recommend).

Don't be defensive, ask what they thought of your class and go from there. Remember there is a lot to learn from observing how others run classes. Whenever I observe another teachers class I usually leave with an interesting idea or two.

[xiguagua]

Yeah I don't see what you're all worked up for. I think they have a right to see your class to make sure you're doing a good enough job. Too many schools hire any ol' English speaking person for oral English class and don't worry about them. My school included. They have never supervised one of my classes, but I kinda wish they did every so often just so I can show them that I do take my job seriously and I am trying my best whereas other teachers in the past have just gone into class with no lesson prepared and just BS'd for an hour and half.

[big_big_bang_theory_fan]

[TexasHighway]

Your co-teacher may want to observe, get ideas, evaulate you or just receive a free English lesson. As long as it is only once, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it bothers you, maybe you could show a movie that day.

[Shroob]

I was recently observed (the firs time the foreign teachers had been), I had mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I worried they thought I may not be up to the job, especially as Chinese teaching methods are so different. On the other hand, as a newly qualified CELTA graduate, I welcomed the feedback and how my bosses thought I was doing and how to improve.

Like the other poster the assessors took notes throughout, but the only feedback I got was verbal, you've just reminded me to ask for a hard copy of their notes.

[igorG]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I would ask if you could do some observing also. Maybe check the English-quality in Chinese teachers who teach English on campus. Do some 'quality control' of your own.

If they say no, ask them why not?

Quid Pro Quo.

I do not believe that this is 'quality control' as some may assert. It's 'content control'. They are probably making sure you do not go over the line culturally or talking about naughty things. It's possible you overstepped the boundaries (said some 'yellow' things, said something political, criticized China too much... etc.)

Your class has a political monitor. It is not difficult to find out who it is, usually the one who attends all the classes without fail and will not argue or get into debates. (out themselves) It is possible he/she told on you.

You are not going overboard at all, in my opinion.

[dean_a_jones]

[choudoufu]

no quid pro quo.

you are an employee, they are your employer.
they have every right to observe your work.

advance notice would be nice, but not required.