For this hour of classroom observation, I observed an EFL class in Korea. The class was composed of approximately 30 children in grade six. This observation demonstrated to me the importance of ensuring the pace of the lesson is conductive to learning, classroom management and providing consistent feedback.
Overall, I was shocked at how fast-paced the class was. At times it reminded me more of choreographed play than a classroom. With the fast pace of the lesson it was difficult to determine if the students were learning the material, or simply memorizing pre-determined phrases. Throughout the class, the teachers gave students who provided correct answers cards as a reward. In theory, I like the idea of providing some form of incentive for learning. Especially for this age group. However, the teacher frequently called on the same students to answer questions. This could be discouraging for more timid students. It also appeared that no new material was introduced during this lesson. This was particularly apparent during the game. At points during the game students were encouraged to think of the easiest words they could and to not worry about spelling. During the game there was little, or no corrections given. Additionally, classroom management did not appear to be a priority during this lesson. The students were having frequent side conversations in their L1 and in general the class atmosphere was distracting. The fast-paced lesson plan and distracting environment could have been barriers for learning.
I did appreciate that the teachers incorporated audio clips, videos, pictures and songs into the class. The variety of materials kept the class interesting. I also liked that the teachers demonstrated the dialogues before having students practice in pairs.
I had three main takeaways from this observation. First, it is important to find a balance between having a fast-paced lesson and ensuring the students have time to process the material. Second, I think it is important to provide equal opportunities for all students to demonstrate their learning. Finally, providing consistent corrections and feedback are an important part of learning.