The Role Of Classroom Observation In Improving English Teachers’ Classroom Teaching Strategies

Teachers’ professionalism and teachers’ professional development are two important topics for teacher educators worldwide.Research on matters such as how to improve teachers’professionalism and foster their professional development is always in great need.Classroom observation,as a major means of learning about the teaching and learning process,is also an effective tool for teachers’ professional development.How to further explore and maximize its role in helping English teachers to improve their classroom teaching strategies is becoming more and more urgent.This thesis seeks to explore an effective training model for in-service teachers,which combines the theoretical study with practical experiences.The thesis analyzes the notion,and the functions of classroom observation and the general principles of classroom teaching strategies.The theoretical framework is based on "Wallace’s Reflective practice model of professional educational development."In order to show the effective role of classroom observation in improving classroom teaching strategies,the trainee teachers first receive specially designed training to equip them with the knowledge and skills about classroom observation.Then the trainee teachers apply the skills to practice,aiming to improve specific classroom teaching strategies such as questioning strategy,instructional strategy and activity design strategy.The research methods adopted include case study,survey and interview.This thesis is divided into five chapters.The first chapter introduces the research background and significance.It also illustrates the current situation of how classroom observation is viewed and used among English teachers on the basis of a survey.The second chapter is the literature review,which presents the research results of classroom observation and classroom teaching strategies both home and aboard.It sets forth the reference theory and basic principles for the research.The third chapter is the research design,which states the research purpose,research participants,research methods,research design and procedures.The fourth chapter analyzes the data collected and aims to prove that classroom observation is an effective means to improve classroom teaching strategies.The fifth chapter not only draws the research conclusions and enlightenments,but also points out limitations and directions for future research.The main findings of the research are as follows:1)Specially designed training is necessary to equip in-service English teachers with the knowledge and skills about classroom observation.2)"Focused observation" proves an effective means to help the English teachers to improve their classroom teaching strategies.3)"Peer assistance" and "reflective practice" are the two key elements in order to maximize the effectiveness of classroom observation.