Optimising Teacher Observations in ELICOS: Practical Strategies and Insights

Ensuring a Positive and Productive Process for Teachers and Leaders

29 February 2024 I The Queensland Institute

*English Australia webinar attendees share best practice.*

Fostering Best Practice

With over 140 participants registered from across the Australian ELICOS sector, the recent online webinar hosted by English Australia titled "Optimising Teacher Observations: Ensuring a Positive and Productive Process," provided inspiration and practical support for lead teachers and academic managers working in English Language Education.

Facilitated by Co-Founders of The Queensland Institute (QI), Philippa Coleman and Fiona Wiebusch, the session offered insights and strategies aimed at enhancing the observation journey for everyone involved. A central aim of the session was to demystify the process of teacher observations for those stepping into the role of Observer for the first time. From scheduling observations to post-observation feedback, participants embarked on an exploration of best practices. The session began by outlining 6 Guiding Principles for Optimal Teacher Observations (Wiebusch & Coleman, 2024) and highlighting key features of the pre-during-post stages of the observation process before delving into strategies to facilitate post-observation feedback.

*6 Guiding Principles for Teacher Observations.*

Leading with Empathy and Purpose

A highlight of the workshop was the exploration of practical examples of teacher-observer interactions. Through analysis and discussion, attendees gained insights into managing these interactions constructively, ensuring that the observation process remains a catalyst for positive change.

As the session drew to a close, participants left equipped with resources and strategies to continue the conversation with their teaching teams. From agreeing on key principles for teacher observations to emphasising the importance of empathy and a student-centric focus, the workshop underscored the transformative potential of teacher observations.

Sharing Appreciation

Participant feedback emphasised the practical nature of the session, quality of the resources shared and key takeaways:

"That was an amazing session – thank you so much. Some really practical tips there for everyone!"
"A really great reminder of best practice in observing teachers and giving feedback."
"A really well-planned and carefully thought-out webinar. It was particularly useful because the scenarios felt so real."
"Very useful ideas and resources shared, particularly the ones that I can share with my team. Thank you!"
"In my role, I have to observe and give teachers feedback, and it is useful to know how to improve this process."
"The reminder to focus on the students, not just the teacher was great advice that I sometimes forget."
"The principle of empathy is my takeaway - it's always one of the most important aspects."

Continuing to Empower Educators

Thank you to the English Australia team for inviting QI to co-host the session and for always responding to emerging professional development needs in the ELICOS sector with empathy and action.

Reflecting on the session, Philippa Coleman shared, "It’s always such a privilege to observe teachers. It was heartening to see that so many agree and are committed to best practice in this area.” Fiona Wiebusch added. "It was wonderful to hear the insights shared in break-out rooms. I think we all left feeling inspired to continue our support for teachers, leaders, and the sector in 2024."

As we continue our mission to empower global educators by providing practical professional development for language teaching and learning, we encourage you to explore the open-access resources below with your teaching teams.

Contact Philippa and Fiona via email to learn more about tailored support for your school or college. We’d love to hear from you!

Reference

Wiebusch, F., & Coleman, P. (2024, Feb 28). Optimising Teacher Observations: Ensuring a Positive and Productive Process [Webinar]. English Australia Webinar Series. Retrieved from https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/professional-development/webinars

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*ELICOS = an Australian acronym for ‘English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students’