Background: each semester each Native English Teachers does one or two open classes. During these open classes the supervisor and the other Native English Teachers in that district come to watch and offer advice. I typically have to watch and critique one of these a month.
Today, however, was the most upsetting and unsettling one, and for many reasons.
I had never seen this teacher teach, and, like any other teacher, I went in with an absolute open mind about their teaching style and techniques.
As teachers filed in, took their places and assessment forms, the Korean teacher went around bowing hello to everyone and the N.E.T. waved a happy hello.
Alright, I thought, this is getting off on the right foot.
When it came time, however, for the class to start everything went from bad to worse to cringeworthy. I kept thinking “each teacher has their own style, this will be turned around.”
The class started without a single introduction. No “hello” students (which I am a huge fan of, spending the first few minutes free talking with the students) and right in to the lesson. If I was confused from the start about the aims, I’m sure the students were as well. They did a wonderful job of trying their hardest to answer the questions correctly.
The start of her lessons, aims, and engage portion were all out of whack. She did have some cohesion which was nice. Her topic-travelling-with key language “Have you ever been to ________? is a great topic for students as they get to share their experiences and practice a key phrase. The topic was good, the execution is where help was needed in my opinion.
After she did her intro video and worksheet work—which were all great and worked well together—she moved to her main activity, and this is where the lesson went from struggling to just hoping the class ends before it can get any worse. I wanted to jump from my chair countless times and save her. To bring the class back on track, get the students listening again, to allow her the breather she needed, the one minute to collect herself in order to regain control.
The activity was an excellent activity. I can’t wait to try it out in my classes actually. In the center their pods of four she had a large sheet of colored paper, makers, and the numbers 1-6. The activity would have been awesome but, unfortunately, the way she described the activity set the students up for failure. I’m not sure about the students, but I had no clue what the point of the activity was. I couldn’t see the end goal and I couldn’t see how it was related to the subject matter of “Have you ever been to _______?
The activity Part One: (four students in pods)
- One student writer, other three students choose cards 1-6 (2 cards each)
- She puts a number on the board.
- Student with corresponding number runs up, memorizes sentence, and relays the sentence to the scribe. (12 seconds to memorize)
This went on for six sentences. This activity started out wonderfully and then it just evolved into chaos. [queue Supervisor walking in and immediately looking angry as the students ran about and he had no clue what was going on] Students were cheating, blocking the passage way for the other students, holding back other students, and so on.
- Once all of the sentences had been memorized and written down she put them on the board.
- The students had 3 seconds to correct any mistakes.
The sentences told an image and the students then had to draw what each sentence instructed. They were placed on the board and as she went through the sentences she took off the pictures that didn’t follow the sentences. Maybe one that didn’t have a blue sky was removed, but ones with a blue sky was kept per the sentences.
She then showed what the picture was supposed to be: a group of people watching dolphins in Australia, a place she wants to visit.
This was the end of class.
Like any open class we met in the conference room and people shared their opinions. The tension and not-knowing-what-to-say in the conference room was palpable. Everyone started with “I liked your lesson.” I was the first to go and offered my suggestions:
- When you are doing any sort of activity, give the students an amount of time to work within. THEN: put a timer on the board or keep track with a timer. It helps the students stay focused.
- Make sure you connect all activities back with the target language.
I had some others but I wanted to keep my criticism at minimum as I went first and I was fearful of what was to come. Nearly everyone had the same suggestions. The Korean teachers were a littler more harsh. And, as I found out, it was because they were angry at the N.E.T’s other co-teachers, because:
- They didn’t serve us lunch (it was a 4th period class and we had to all miss lunch for the conference)
- The other Korean teachers didn’t watch or help prepare anything
- It was chaotic and the supervisor was there, thus making the Koreans look bad.
I thought she was going to escape with minor criticism until it came time for our Supervisor. He went on and on and on. Again, I just wanted to jump in there and save her. I did, actually, once, when she was confused with what the Supervisor was saying. He was angry and talking very fast and is very uncomfortable with his English, which is great, and he just, this one time, wasn’t making any bit of sense. I think I knew what he was saying and tried to help her out. He was upset because the actual lesson plan didn’t have it specifically stated where the T would speak and where the Ss would participate.
He then went on to say that this “was the worst class ever,” and that it was disorganized. He even said that if the Superintendent came he would have been infuriated, his words, not mine. We also got this little ancedote: the city council is currently meeting to discuss whether or not N.E.T.s should stay in Korea, and if we are even effective. So, he said, these are the exact classes that make them want to get rid of N.E.T.s. She tried and tried to defend herself. When her co-teacher came under attack as well (by the other Korean teachers) she tried to defend her as well.
I am so upset for this woman. I know the amount of stress involved in an open class. I also know what it’s like to be mid-way through a lesson and hate your lesson.
I wish I had Facebook so that I could message her and let her know it’s ok, she’ll be ok.
What suggestions do you offer people who don’t present a good lesson, or one up to standard?
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