Peer observation systems

I am looking into peer observation and how best to make it work, and for that, I would like to see what experiences (good and bad) that people have had with it in language teaching organisations (LTOs). It doesn't matter if you are a teacher or a manager (or somebody else) in an LTO, your answers are equally useful to me.

Thanks you for volunteering a little of your time to help me look at good practices in peer observation. This survey should take no longer than 15 minutes and it will really help me out in putting together a talk and possibly an article on this subject, which will of course be shared widely.

Most questions require a written response. Please give me as much information as you are able - I understand time is pressing, and am just grateful for any help you can give me. Don't feel you have to answer every question.

[Just a note - the acronym "LTO" in the following questions refers to "language teaching organisation"]

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* 1. Are teachers at your LTO required to observe each other?

Yes, all teachers are required to observe other teachers and to be observed

It's not an absolute requirement, but teachers are strongly encouraged to observe one another

It's encouraged and a few do so

Some people do it even though there is no official support

There is no system and no peer observation

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* 2. If there is some form of system at your LTO, does it work? By which I mean do teachers actually observe one another and do they both (observer and teacher) generally feel they develop through the process? (if appropriate you can choose more than one answer)

Yes, it works very well. Teachers participate enthusiastically, and gain a lot from it.

Some teachers benefit and get a lot out of it, but others less so

Teachers see it as an obligation and just do it because they have to

Most teachers never do any peer observation at all

Comments

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* 3. How was the system (if there is one - and if you know) developed? How are new teachers informed about it and encouraged to participate?

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* 4. What are teachers required to do prior to the observation?

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* 5. Is the actual observation guided in any way? (By the teacher being observed, by the system, with forms to be completed?)

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* 6. What is expected in terms of follow-up? Is there a time for discussion between the participating teachers? Are there forms to be completed to be kept on file?

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* 7. Would you be prepared to help me further in this research? If so please write your email address below:

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* 8. Your LTO is: (if appropriate you can choose more than one answer)

A small private language school (<20 teachers)

A medium sized private language school (20-50 teachers)

A large private language school (>50 teachers)

Part of a chain of language schools (either local, national, or international)

Connected in some way to a university

In the state sector

None of the above

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* 9. Your position within the LTO (if appropriate you can choose more than one answer)

Teacher

Teacher supervisor (senior teacher, coordinator, ADOS, etc)

Director of Studies (academic manager, etc)

School owner/director

Admin staff

Other (please specify)