Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Keepongoing]

I have a residential MA TESOL from San Jose State University (39 semester hours) Lots of theory and quite weak in the area of pedagogy. I have been teaching for 5 years now. All that being said, I have much to learn. For some time I have been wanting to observe the writing classes of some of my colleagues. They are significantly younger and not as academically qualified, but excellent teachers (I believe this by the high evaluations they persistently receive, student feedback and observing how much preparartion they do.. I want to ask them if I can observe their classes, but I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. I just believe I can learn from them and have no agenda to be critical. Because I have an MA they may feel taken back by my request, but an MA does not make a good teacher, and not having one does not make a bad teacher.

Has anyone from this board done this and has it helped your teaching. If asked by a colleague, would you feel comfortable having them observe your classes?

[faster]

I've been on both sides of this, and it's clear to me that if you present your request as you have here you'll be fine.

Be respectful, though, if they don't want to be observed. Some people don't.

[ddeubel]

Keepongoing,

My own two cents worth is that you should take a sort of "one foot in the water" approach. This is usually a way that atleast ensures a win-win situation.

I'd ask your colleagues if they'd like to participate in some form of professional development. Meeting once a week, sharing ideas or discussing a particular topic. Casual, no stress, informal. Just a way for you teachers to formally but "informally" share.

If you show this openess and initiative, I think then the next step would be slowly suggesting the idea of watching each others classrooms, teaching.

I had the experience of doing it this way, with many defensive school teachers back home. Almost always worked. And these were the teachers whose classes I wanted to witness, participate first hand in. Not the ones who would just throw open their doors but those who were cautious , had their own way of doing things and outlook on teaching.

We both usually won through this more long term perspective.

My perspective, hard to know the real way to approach it without know anything about the personalities of the teachers themselves. Good luck, but anytime a teach is asking the questions you are -- they don't need luck . All is good.

DD

[cubanlord]

Yes, I am currently doing my MA and have to observe 120 hours worth of teaching. Currently, I am in GnB hogwon watching a Korean teacher teach English. I didn't know, but, there is a foreigner there that teaches one of the classes 3 times a week (she teaches conversation for 30 minutes while the Korean-English teacher teaches for the remaining 30 minutes). A lovely lady that foreign English teacher is.

I felt bad because the Korean English teacher did not tell her I would be observing classes. SO, lo and behold when it came time, she was taken back and uncomfortable. She basically asked the hogwon if I could please not watch her class. I found this to be strange as I watched a weeks worth of her classes, though I completely understand her point.

Definitely talk to them and see if they are cool with it. There is nothing like good communication to make things go much smoother. I have a feeling that if the hogwon would have spoken to her, that maybe, just maybe, she would have been ok with it.

[princess]

The thing that really bothers me is when I am finishing a contract somewhere, and I want to spend the last class with my kids saying goodbye to them, etc., and new teachers get sent to observe my class. I once had two new teachers watch my classes together, and they would sit there and talk amongst themselves.

[SuperHero]

Observations are an excellent way to learn new things, but advance notice should be given as well as permission.

I also like to be observed and get feedback from the observer about what i did right/wrong/different in their view.

[tob55]

I think it is funny sometimes when reading posts about the uncomfortable feeling of being observed, or being the one doing the observing, but I understand. While taking my undergraduate degree in education several years ago for my teaching major I had 12 weeks of observation by another master instructor who watched me 4 hours a day, five days a week, for 12 weeks. They spent at least 4 hours a week critiquing my work, and seldom gave me any praise in the process. I had two full semesters of practical teaching in middle and high school. My high school observation was the worst because that was my concentration area. The middle school master instructor only observed me for 4 out of eight weeks for two hours a day.

People can be alarmed and uneasy if they are not trained to be educators and have to have someone observe their work. I thought nothing of the observation because it came along with what I had trained to do as my career.

A few things to remember,

* Always help the person you are observing feel at ease and comfortable. You are not their judge, you are only their observer.
* Try to keep your behavior professional at all times, since it will cause the person being observed to think you are being critical of their particular style or method of teaching.
* Offer suggestions, and allow the person being observed to share their input. They want to feel valuable for the work they are doing. Remember, you can always gain something from every situation.
* Relax and watch what takes place in the classroom situation. Too often we want to place a judgment on an activity or a particular method without trying to see it from the perspective of the person who is doing the instruction.

There are more things I could share, but hopefully you get the idea about what you should be looking for. A lot of years of experience have taught me many lessons, but none more valuable than this...no matter what you say or do, be genuine. That will be your strongest asset when providing feedback with the person you are observing when they ask for it.

[ajuma]

OP: Of course ask the teachers if they'd mind if you sit in on their class! I've had a couple of teachers do this and it doesn't bother me a bit...BUT!!! I like to prepare my students for an observer. Just having another foreigner in the room throws off the dynamics even if s/he's just sitting there. Give the teacher a week or two to prepare themselves and their students!

You might also want to take the teacher(s) in question out for dinner and ask about their teaching method/style/ideas. Where I work, a lot of this is done informally, but depending on your situation, a more formal approach might work.

Some teachers might feel uncomfortable having you there, and you'll need to respect a "no" answer, too.