How EFL Schools Evaluate Their Teachers - Part II

If you think you'll be nervous when your school's director of studies (DOS) announces that you're going to be observed while you teach one of your EFL classes, you're right: you will be nervous. Maybe very nervous. But there's no reason to panic and think that you'll mess up so badly that you'll get fired. Getting observed is usually a matter or legal protocol that EFL schools, especially in Malta where I teach, have to conduct on an annual basis.

Here's how to get through the process with the least amount of anxiety:

Why you get observed-There are usually two reasons an EFL teacher gets observed. First, new or prospective teachers are asked by the DOS to observe how a class operates in his/her school. (In this case, you may be nervous, but it's usually a compliment if the DOS wants new teachers to observe your class).

Second, the state laws require that every teacher gets observed annually to ensure that teachers are meeting the minimal standards required by the EFL board of education. It's also possible that you could be observed if students have filed numerous, serious complaints against you. But this is the least likely reason for being observed. Complaints are usually handled in a one-on-one meeting with the DOS.

The most important thing to remember is that the observance is not to find something wrong with your teaching; it's to fulfill a requirement and to verify that you're doing the best to meet your students' needs.

Who observes you-Either the DOS will observe you or he/she will select a very senior or experienced teacher in the EFL school to observe your class.

How can you prepare?-Depending on your school's policies, you may get a day's notice (or more) before you're to be observed. The best way to prepare-and this is not to sound trite-is to do put on your best performance every day. If you're used to teaching the way you've been trained, you shouldn't have to really do anything differently when you're being observed-except to try to "ignore" the observer after a few minutes. You can also think of a way of involving the observer during the class, which is okay to do and actually makes everyone feel more comfortable.

What do you tell your students?-Simply tell your students that you're having an observer come in as a routine thing, and say who it is. If you're good at it, you can try making a little joke to your class members about them behaving for your sake in front of the observer. But you must have a really good rapport with your class in order to carry this off.

What if it's a bad day or bad class?-Again, remember this: the DOS or observer isn't hoping to find you conduct a bad class; that wouldn't bode well for the school. And besides, anyone who is observing you knows what it's like because he/she has been observed him/herself before. So if you have a class that you know has been giving you some difficulty, tell the observer beforehand. If it turns out you have a bad day-which we all have-just tell the observer right away why you feel it didn't go well.

What to do with the results of the observation?-If the results come out good, rejoice and keep up the good work. But remember, there will be another observation next year. If the results address some problems, take this time to sit down with the observer and ask for assistance in improving. It's natural to feel defensive and disappointed at first. But keep in mind--whether the criticism is warranted or not--that it's better to ask for ways to improve than to let yourself give in to paranoia and believe that the observer is out to get you.

Ilene Springer teaches EFL in Malta and is author of An-American-Malta.com.