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1. Teachers Helping Teachers: Peer Observation for Professional Development

   In: American English Webinars Format(s): Text, Video

   This webinar will explore how teachers can turn this stressful situation into a positive professional development opportunity by engaging in collaborative peer observations.

2. Reflective Teacher Observation Model for In-Service Teacher Trainees

   In: English Teaching Forum 2007, Volume 45, Number 1 Format(s): Text

   This article proposes the Teacher Observation Programme for in-service teacher trainees. The program is reflective, collaborative, and builds confidence. It enables teachers to grow in their ability to self-evaluate. Trainees who have made decisions about their own observation, who have created and used their own observational tools, and who have used reflective lesson plans will be better equipped to do action research. Some of the key components of the program are needs assessment, building rapport, summative assessment and post-observational feedback.

3. Module 14: Reflective Teaching

   In: Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices Around the World Format(s): Text, Video

   This Module of the Shaping the Way we Teach English Series focuses on reflective teaching.

4. A Thought Provoking Warm Up Activity for Teacher Training

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   The author provides a simple warm-up procedure for jumpstarting a teacher training session. Her activity requires teachers to think about and physically align themselves with their teaching philosophy. Once decided, teachers communicate how their past experiences have helped shape their philosophy. The focus is on sharing ideas and opinions through thoughtful discussion. A suggested extension is also provided for teacher trainers who prioritize group decision-making.

5. Building Consensus on Teacher Assessment

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 3 Format(s): Text

   This article proposes a collaborative workshop for teachers and teacher trainees to identify their preferred methods of Teacher Assessment (TA).TA refers to the evaluation of teachers. Some examples are observation by colleagues or supervisors, videotaping class, and feedback from students. The pros and cons of various TA instruments and formats are discussed, including how threatening they are perceived to be. Participants also consider what should be included in their professional portfolio. It can be rewarding to involve stakeholders in the process.

6. Teacher Development: A Real Need for English Departments in Vietnam

   In: English Teaching Forum 2001, Volume 39, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article examines teacher training and teacher development in Vietnam. It suggests ways to promote professional development among EFL teachers. The author understands teacher development to be the process of lifelong learning in the teaching profession and argues that teacher development must be a component in teacher education. The article outlines the history of English language teaching in Vietnam in order to understand its current state. The author suggests that collaboration among teachers and action research are two important ways to promote teacher development.

7. Teacher Resources

   In: English Teaching Forum 2004, Volume 42, Issue 4 Format(s): Text

   “Teacher Resources” includes summaries of two publications. In “Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for Language Teaching,” B. Kumaravadivelu suggests ten keys to successful practice, called macrostrategies, and describes how to implement them. This is a teacher-training tool and promotes reflective teaching. “Teaching Online” by Susan Ko and Steve Rossen is useful for instructors who have not had training in teaching online classes. It covers developing the course, adapting an existing course to an online course, methods for this new educational environment, and more.

8. Shall We Dance: Team Teaching as Supervision in the English Language Classroom

   In: English Teaching Forum 2005, Volume 43, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   This article compares team teaching to a dance in which leadership shifts from partner to partner. It argues for the use of team teaching as an effective and motivating means of professional development. The author shares his experience in team teaching and offers a list of steps that can be used to establish and maintain team teaching that is effective for both the professionals and their students, such as when to involve students and when to trade roles.

9. Reflective Teaching: The Principles and Practices

   In: English Teaching Forum 2003, Volume 41, Number 4 Format(s): Text

   Reflective teaching is highly popular within English language programs, but there is some debate over definitions and best practices for reflective teaching. The author explores current approaches to reflective teaching (e.g., reflection-in-action, action research) and provides guides for a teacher development model using reflective teaching. He concludes that teachers who use reflection will gain freedom from impulse and uncertainty and will redefine themselves as educated and experienced human beings.

10. Looking for the Big Picture: Macrostrategies for L2 Teacher Observation and Feedback

    In: English Teaching Forum 2010, Volume 48, Number 4 Format(s): Text

    The authors describe the typical type of teacher observation and assessment used today -- top down, one-way communication from supervisor to teacher that looks at the weaknesses in the teaching. The authors believe that observation and feedback can be something more. They present six strategies for supervisors (e.g., recognizing subjectiveness, talking across the data, providing alternatives and resources). Additional suggestions include structured intervention and supervisor portfolios.

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