Am I Teaching Well? : Self-Evaluation Strategies for Effective Teachers

by Nikolic, Vesna; Cabaj, Hanna

• ISBN13: 9780887510878
• ISBN10: 0887510876
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Utp Distribution
• More Book Details

Summary

This is a resource for classroom practitioners, pre-service teachers and teacher trainers. Each chapter presents a series of self-assessment tasks that will help you reflect and improve on a wide range of aspects of your teaching practice. Topics include organising for instruction, designing programs and lessons, using resources and integrating technology, classroom presentation, responding to student questions and encouraging participation, providing feedback, increasing motivation, assessment, program evaluation, and professional development. Numerous self-evaluation exercises are fully photocopiable without infringement of copyright, and the book is illustrated throughout with humorous drawings. The book concludes with an appendix that takes you step by step through procedures for self-evaluation using video or audio recording, a particularly effective strategy that will really let you see yourself as others do. Written by two experienced teachers in a direct, down to earth, light-hearted style, "Am I Teaching Well?" offers not only opportunities for self-assessment but also detailed information on positive teaching practice. The authors' background in language teaching is highlighted in special sections that will be of particular interest to those teaching foreign or second languages to learners of all ages. With its comprehensive scope and easy-to-follow, hands-on approach, this book is sure to become a career-long partner for all teachers interested in working toward excellence in their classroom performance.

Author Biography

Born in Croatia, VESNA NIKOLIC has been teaching in Europe and North America for over 20 years - and still loves it! Vesna is currently with the Toronto Catholic District School Board and has a keen interest in classroom instruction, staff support, curriculum development, and the role and training of teachers. Vesna is a frequent and welcome speaker at conferences, seminars and institutes.Polish-born HANNA CABAJ obtained her Master's in Second Language Teaching from the University of Warsaw and has, ever since, delighted in teaching students of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and interest levels, whether her students are in Europe or North America. She is currently with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, where she manages the Continuing Education Department Adult Education Program. Hanna, with her keen interest in classroom instruction, staff support, curriculum development, and the role and training of teachers, finds herself a frequent and welcome speaker at conferences, seminars and institutes.

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(2)
Acknowledgments	11	(2)
On the Road to Excellence	13	(10)
The Whats, Hows, and Whys of Teaching	14	(1)
Self-Evaluation: A Model and Some Techniques	15	(3)
Self-Evaluation versus Supervisory Evaluation	18	(1)
The Benefits of Self-Evaluation	19	(1)
How to Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses	20	(3)
Your School and Professional Community	23	(10)
Your Classroom, Your Students, and You	33	(14)
Your Classroom	33	(4)
Seating Arrangement, Your Presence, and Eye Contact	37	(4)
Chalkboard Use and Organization	41	(2)
Your Role in the Classroom	43	(4)
Program Design	47	(12)
Needs Analysis	47	(3)
Program Goals	50	(1)
Curricula, Course Outlines, and Long-Range Plans	51	(3)
Planning for Task-Based Instruction	54	(5)
Daily Lesson Planning	59	(22)
Unit Planning	60	(1)
The Process of Designing a Lesson Plan	61	(4)
Lesson Objectives	65	(3)
Transitions	68	(1)
Finding Variety in the Routine	69	(1)
Localizing and Personalizing the Context and Content	70	(2)
Keeping Your Students Informed	72	(1)
Reflective Lesson Plans	73	(1)
Planning Homework	73	(3)
Overall Evaluation of Your Daily Lessons	76	(5)
Resources	81	(20)
Variety	81	(2)
Characteristics of Resources	83	(4)
Textbooks versus Authentic Materials	87	(1)
Authentic Reading Materials: Newspapers and Magazines	88	(1)
Distribution	89	(1)
Technology in the Classroom	90	(3)
Computers	93	(3)
Resources in the Community	96	(2)
Students as Resources	98	(3)
Resources in Language Classrooms	101	(16)
Commercial Materials	101	(1)
Authentic Materials	102	(4)
Computers in the Classroom	106	(11)
Elements of a Lesson	117	(16)
Presentation Techniques and Language	118	(1)
Giving Instructions	119	(3)
Types of Activities	122	(1)
Preparing Students for Activities	123	(2)
Pace	125	(3)
Activity Evaluation	128	(5)
Elements of a Language Lesson	133	(18)
Preparing Students for Communication	133	(2)
Balance of Skills	135	(1)
Register	136	(2)
The Grammar Dilemma	138	(2)
The Place of Grammar across the Curriculum	140	(1)
Teaching Grammar	141	(4)
Using ``Traditional'' Grammar Exercises Effectively	145	(2)
Grammar and You	147	(4)
Classroom Communication	151	(20)
Patterns of Interaction	151	(2)
Group Work	153	(4)
Dealing with Learner Differences	157	(2)
Team Building, Racial Tensions, and Conflict Resolution	159	(2)
Dealing with Discipline Problems	161	(3)
Classroom Confidence and Trust	164	(2)
Special Considerations for the Language Classroom: Facilitating Communication and Bilingual Classes	166	(5)
Questions and Responses	171	(14)
Teacher Questions	171	(4)
Common Errors	175	(2)
Student Participation and Responses	177	(2)
Wait Time and Listening	179	(1)
Student Questions	180	(3)
Special Considerations for the Language Teacher	183	(2)
Feedback and Correction	185	(12)
Positive and Negative Feedback	185	(5)
Correction	190	(7)
Motivation and Attitude	197	(20)
Student Motivation	197	(6)
Teacher Qualities	203	(3)
Teacher Motivation and Attitude	206	(4)
Your Overall Well-Being	210	(3)
Teacher-Student Relationships	213	(4)
Assessment, Testing, and Marking	217	(12)
Testing	217	(6)
Marking	223	(1)
Teaching for the Test	224	(2)
Qualitative Assessment	226	(1)
Student Self-Assessment	227	(2)
Program Evaluation	229	(8)
The Truth May Hurt (But It Helps Us Learn)	230	(1)
Evaluation by Students	231	(3)
Supervisory Evaluation	234	(3)
Professional Development	237	(12)
Research or Practice?	237	(2)
Professional Development Options	239	(2)
Annual or Sessional Professional Growth Plans	241	(3)
Developing Knowledge of the Subject Matter: Focus on Language Teaching	244	(5)
Appendix Using Video- or Audiotaping: Seeing Yourself as Others See You	249	(10)
An Effective Technique	250	(1)
Hypothesis Development Technique	251	(1)
Video/Audio Self-Evaluation Package for Teachers	252	(7)
Bibliography	259	(4)
Additional Resources	263