A Study On Classroom Observation For Novice English Teachers’ Professional Development In Primary School

With the further implementation of elementary English language teaching and learning reform, primary school English teacher education and professional development is one of the trends and targets of educational reform. Novice English teachers are challenging with higher requirements and quick adaption concerning their professional development. A great number of language educationists have touched upon the the connotations of the language teacher professional development and the effective approaches for improving it. The relevant research have indeed provided us with advanced ideas and theories. And classroom observation has been proved as an efficient approach. However, how to promoting profession via the practice of classroom observation for the English teachers in primary schools remains to be a relative new field.This thesis carries out a classroom observation study to explore the following four questions:1) How does classroom observation work in accelerating teaching professional development? 2) What are the differences between professional observation and traditional ways in teaching professional development? 3) What roles do teachers play in class? What are the advantages of Classroom Observation? 4) Any factors causing a negative effect on professional development in classroom observation?The research, which includes qualitative and quantitative study using questionnaire, interview, case study, observing and reflection, is based on the cases of several novice teachers at the author’s school and lasts one semester. The findings are listed as follows:1) The self-development awareness and confidence are improved, as well as the participants’sense of belonging and the relationship between colleagues.2) Comparing to the traditional class evaluation, classroom observation plays an active role in the professional development of novice English teachers, especially in the aspects of their development awareness and cooperation initiative by planning, acting and observing activities in the process.3) English teachers should pay attention to the student-based approach, using different teaching strategies and assessment according to students’needs and interests. And they need to show different affinity towards different grades.4) There’s no doubt some neglected factors like distraction of students and dependence of teachers have influence on the practice of.classroom observation.This research is beneficial for the understanding of the professional development of novice English teachers and collaborative development of teacher colleagues. It can also enhance the practice of elementary English education.