Observation Write-Up for Ms. Supunie

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Name(s) of the course(s): Key Foundation Level – Cambridge English Qualifications

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Dates and times of the observations: 9th November, 2:30 PM

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Learner Profile:

 

The class consisted of 35 learners aged 12 - 15 years, at the Key Foundation level. These students demonstrated a mix of beginner-level English proficiency, with varying abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. While most students were eager and attentive, a few required additional encouragement to participate in group tasks. The group showed strong visual learning tendencies, responding well to illustrations and examples displayed during the lesson.

Available Technology:

 

The classroom was equipped with a whiteboard, a projector, and audio playback equipment. Ms. Supunie utilized the projector to display visuals and examples of sentences, which aided in introducing vocabulary and grammar. The audio playback feature was used effectively during the listening activity, enhancing students' comprehension skills.

Specific Observations Made During the Lesson:

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1. Use of Multi-Sensory Learning Tools:
   Ms. Supunie incorporated a combination of visual aids (e.g., pictures of daily routines) and auditory inputs (audio clips of spoken sentences) to introduce new vocabulary and grammar. This multi-sensory approach catered to different learning styles and kept the students engaged.

2. Simplifying Complex Grammar:
   When teaching the Present Continuous tense, Ms. Supunie broke the explanation into smaller steps. She used timelines and relatable examples, such as "The boy is running," to simplify the concept for young learners. This gradual progression helped students understand and apply the tense in controlled practice tasks.

3. Interactive Group Activities:
   The lesson included a group activity where students matched pictures to sentences describing actions in progress. This activity encouraged collaboration and reinforced the connection between visual cues and language use. By circulating among groups, Ms. Supunie monitored progress and provided immediate feedback.

4. Encouraging Participation Among Shy Learners:
   Ms. Supunie demonstrated exceptional skill in engaging quieter students. For example, during the speaking task, she paired confident learners with shy ones, creating a supportive environment that encouraged everyone to participate.

5. Handling Misunderstandings:
   During the listening task, some students initially struggled to differentiate between similar sentences (e.g., "The girl is reading" vs. "The girl is writing"). Ms. Supunie replayed the audio and guided the students in identifying key words, ensuring that the task was a learning opportunity for all.

6. Task Variety and Pacing:
   The lesson incorporated a balanced mix of listening, speaking, and writing tasks, maintaining student interest throughout. The pacing allowed sufficient time for practice without overwhelming the learners.

 

How These Observations May Help Me in My Own Teaching:

 

Observing Ms. Supunie’s teaching highlighted several strategies and practices that I can adopt in my own lessons:

1. Multi-Sensory Approach: Using visuals, audio clips, and hands-on activities can enhance comprehension and keep young learners engaged.

2. Simplified Grammar Explanations: Breaking down complex concepts into smaller, relatable steps can support better understanding, especially for younger students.

3. Collaborative Learning: Group tasks can encourage peer learning and foster teamwork, while also giving shy students an opportunity to contribute in a low-pressure setting.

4. Active Monitoring: Circulating during group activities and providing real-time feedback helps address misunderstandings promptly.

5. Task Variety: Including different types of tasks, such as matching exercises and sentence-building, maintains interest and caters to diverse learning preferences.

 

Ms. Supunie’s lesson demonstrated the importance of patience, adaptability, and creativity in teaching young learners. Her strategies for simplifying grammar, engaging students, and using technology effectively will be highly beneficial in enhancing my own teaching practice.