Advantages and Disadvantages of Peer Observations in the Classroom

Having someone come into your classroom and observe you is nerve-wracking. You feel like you're being put to the test. More often than not, during peer observations your colleagues observing you don't really know what they're looking for. Nor does management help prepare them to observe classes. It can often lead to negatively and teachers thinking they're being compared to others. It's not all bad and below you can find some advantages, disadvantages and further reading about peer observations.

Advantages

• Both parties can get new ideas.
• It provides instant feedback.
• It causes the teacher being observed to re-think their lesson. 

Disadvantages

• The observer is often biased and may give high marks to avoid confrontation.
• Is often only done once so there's no way to compare how the teacher has improved.
• It's often unreliable and unorganised. They're only observing one class and the time of day, class, being nervous, and more can affect the observation. In addition, it's usually not video taped, observers aren't trained, and the feedback form isn't valid.

Recommended Reading

• Amazon's recommendations
• Leeds Metropolitan University: links, preparing for observation, and a summary
• University of Minnesota's Guidelines
• University of Sydney's Guidelines
• Using English

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

The Best TEFL Jobs in Ecuador

Here's the information for Ecuador for The Best TEFL Jobs in the World. The LA Job List has more schools that you might want to work for in Ecuador. You might also want to look at The Best TEFL Jobs With Worldwide Employers.  

If you know of any other good ones, please let me know by emailing me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com

1. British School of Language: Formerly known as Southern Cross. They help with visas and pay well.
2. EIL (Experiment in International Living): They help with visas and pay well. 
3. REACH Language Program through Kansas State: You'll need an MA plus 3 years teaching experience. There's orientation in Kansas. You have to be willing to commit for a minimum of 6 months and a max of 12. $38,000 a year working 8-5pm, may involve evenings and weekends. They usually advertise on TESOL.org. Here's an old job advert of theirs.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

Cool Link: ESL Heaven

I found ESL Heaven through one of my Linkedin contacts, Daniel James. The co-founder of ESL Heaven also works at a university here in Korea.

The site has information for both students and teachers. Students can find great resources such as idioms, phrasal verbs, English lessons, and essay writing help. Teachers can find jobs, country guides, games, lesson ideas, and classroom management help. They can also post their CVs.

ESL Heaven also has a handful of forums in English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. With over 125,000 register users since they've started about 2 years ago, ESL Heaven is going to take the ESL and EFL community by storm. I know they'll be expanding their site soon. Here's hoping they'll have reviews about schools and TEFL certificates. 


Got an idea for a cool link?
Email me with your cool link, name, and website (if you have one) and I'll post it ASAP.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

10 Qualities You Need to Be a DOS

PC Parrot wrote a list of 10 qualities necessary to head the PD (professional development) department at this post on Dave's. I think that all of these apply to those who want to become a head teacher, HD (head of department) or a DOS (director of study). Oxford TEFL has an online course for those wanting to be DOSes.

1. Qualified teacher who holds a teaching license, a DELTA, and an MA TESOL.
2. Qualified teacher trainer.
3. Can accept criticism.
4. Doesn't resort to put downs like "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem" .. because they actually want to encourage feedback - both negative and positive.
5. Doesn't believe that professional development is voluntary if it forms part of the teacher evaluation system.
6. Doesn't believe that a department which invests heavily in professional development will look equally upon those who take part in the devised program and those who chose instead to pursue their own private professional development.
7. Doesn't come to the table with the belief that teachers are lazy and do nothing but pop into class for a couple of hours a day.
8. Doesn't believe they are a great teacher, but instead aspires to constantly improve themselves.
9. Doesn't worry about their popularity, but is more concerned about earning the trust and respect of the teachers they will be training.
10. Someone who allows people to question the value of what they are doing - especially when the crticism comes from people who are more qualified.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement

The Best TEFL Jobs in Costa Rica

Here's the information for Costa Rica for The Best TEFL Jobs in the World. The LA Job List has more schools that you might want to work for in Costa Rica. You might also want to look at The Best TEFL Jobs With Worldwide Employers.  

I only know of one, so if you know of any other good ones, please let me know by emailing me at naturegirl321@yahoo.com

1. Maximo Nivel: They have institutes in Guatemala and Peru as well. Their trainer positions pay between $1000 and $1800 a month.

Disclaimer:

• Please join my Patreon page
• I use affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on links. Read more at my FTC Disclosure and Privacy Policy Statement