Checklist For Observing A Foreign Language Classroom

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CHECKLIST FOR OBSERVING
A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM
Report what you observe in my class and help me to become a better teacher
TARGET LANGUAGE USE
The TEACHER and STUDENTS speak in the target language (TL)
Less than 50% of the time
50%-75% of the time
75%-90% of the time
90%+ of the time
Students cannot acquire spoken language if they do not hear it.
Over 90% target language use is recommended in the 2011 ACTFL position statement.
Not using the TL in a language class is like a math teacher chatting about sports most of the time.
The teacher checks for comprehension frequently
by asking individual students
by carefully observing all students in class
by listening for responses from the whole class
by asking for translation occasionally
Students cannot acquire language if they do not understand what the teacher is saying.
The teacher must speak in the TL and it must be comprehensible to the students.
The teacher offers opportunities for sophisticated language use
by embellishing the basic statements that students make
by asking a variety of questions in a variety of formats and levels
by inviting students to create with the language rather than simply
a) repeating
b) responding mainly with formulas
c) memorizing dialogues
Students should be expected to think and perform at high levels—even in beginning courses
Memorization is the LOWEST level of thinking in the New Bloom’s Taxonomy.
We need to encourage students to analyze, evaluate and design at all course levels.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODS
The teacher raises the level of student attention
by INVOLVING STUDENTS in the narration
by allowing STUDENT INPUT to direct portions of the lesson
by talking TO individual students
by talking ABOUT specific students
by referring to places/locations/people/topics OF INTEREST TO STUDENTS
The students are actively engaged in the lesson
by gesturing
by acting
by contributing ideas to the lesson
by responding to questions
The students are held accountable for the lesson
by speaking the target language when asked
by helping each other
by retelling material in their own words
by translation, when asked
by unannounced quizzes

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