TESOL Certificate Programs

Observation Notebook

Observation Report
Forms for inclusion in the Observation Notebook must be typed

Name of Observer __Boyoung Kang____

Date

Observation
Environment (include

Observation # _6_

Class
Skill/Content

Class
Teacher
Level/Number
URL if the class was
(Beg./Int./Adv.)
online)
02/25/2015 IEP Room 441
Listening
300 Level
Karen Lindwall
Speaking
(Beginner)
Focus on relevant areas from the What Can Be Observed handout. Notice how the
teacher handles these areas during the class.
OBJECTIVE OF THE LESSON:
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
SENTENCES WITH COMPARATIVE FORMS OF ADJECTIVES.
Notes while observing:
Warm-up (3 min)
T greets Ss and asks what they were talking about. Small talk between T and Ss plays a
role as an icebreaker.
Review (5 min)
In the previous lesson, Ss learned how to make comparison and contrast sentences. T
models the example sentences based on the handout on the board with the brief
definitions of comparison and contrast. The handout shows two picture of one family, ten
years ago and today pictures.
Comparison (Similarity) Contrast (Difference)
e.g. Ten years ago
than today.
Today
than ten years ago.
Practice1 (5 min)
Ss are asked to make four sentences each example in pairs. It means two sentence for
each student. T walks around the classroom and listens to each student's speaking. T
checks every pairs. Sometimes T encourage S by saying "You are much better than
before!" (This activity has done in the last class but it did not go well at that time.)

Last Updated: 7/24/2015 12:38 AM

TESOL Certificate Programs

Observation Notebook
Presentation1 (5 min)
T gives the comparative forms of some adjectives. Most of adjectives can be changed by
adding -er at the end. However, Ss are noticed about the exceptions which cannot be
changed with -er but with more in front of the adjectives. T has some Ss read the
sentences out loud while correcting their pronunciation. There was an advertisement
paragraph for car sales. Ss learn vocabulary such as 'on sale', 'style', and 'indulge.'
Practice2 (5 min)
T writes the sentence with a blank on the board and has Ss work in pairs. Ss fill in the
blank with proper comparative forms of adjectives.
e.g. The indulge
than the pee wee.
During the practice, T observes Ss with encouragement words such as 'Good job!' and
'Beautiful!'
Practice3 (10 min)
T asks Ss to give some topics for comparison practice. Then, several topics are written on
the board.
e.g. Buying
Go
Living

a house vs. an apartment

to Europe vs. camping
in a homestay vs. with friends

Watching TV vs. Reading books

Play
soccer vs. basketball
Having
a snake vs. a dog

Ss are asked to make four comparison sentences in pairs. They can put any words in the
sentence like Living in a homestay is better than living with friends.
T mentions the final test includes this part of practice.
Presentation2 (15 min)
'Hero' is written in large characters on the board. T gets Ss to brainstorm what they think
about it. T gives a few minutes to talk about their own heroes. After that, T asks "Who is
your hero?" and a S answers "Messy (a soccer player)." T lists kinds of heroes such as
doctor, leader, firefighter, teacher, and policemen and adds that normal people like these
can be heroes since they help others. T tells the story 'Super-power woman' and has Ss
talk with partners about some stories they know.
T introduces the topic of the new chapter which is 'Everyday Hero.' In the textbook, there
is a picture of a person who saves someone from the water. By looking at it, Ss talk about
their experiences and learn vocabulary such as drawn.
Wrap-up (2 min)
T informs about the homework which will be noticed online.
(continue on back)

Last Updated: 7/24/2015 12:38 AM

TESOL Certificate Programs

Observation Notebook
Artifact

This artifact is used as a practice for making comparison and contrast structures.
Finding similarities and differences between two pictures facilitated Ss to think what
vocabulary they need. Also, since this is a visual information, there is less learning
burden for beginners as Ss in this class. In the class, when the T used this at first time, Ss
could not work well. Thus, T decided to use it again to review comparison and contrast. T
told she love using pictures in the class to attract Ss' attention.
Last Updated: 7/24/2015 12:38 AM

TESOL Certificate Programs

Observation Notebook
What did you learn about teaching or learning from this lesson? Discuss your
observation focus, and the theory you have studied in your TESOL classes. Consider
the three levels of teacher reflection (surface, pedagogical, critical). (100-200 words)
This lesson highly focuses on speaking skill. Even though T talks a lot to make Ss
participate and encourage their speaking, Ss have time to talk much more than the T. It is
important for T to make sure that T's speaking does not take away time from Ss. There
are many speaking practices discussions in the class including communicative drills in
which Ss should use their own information such as preferences. It means the class is
based on Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method. In CLT methods, Ss use
English to learn (Freeman, 2011). For that purpose, this class is well-organized to have Ss
practice and use English. Using English for Ss can be extended beyond the classroom by
having enough opportunities to practice in the class. To be specific, Ss can compare or
contrast in their daily life by finding similarities and differences in the way of what they
learned in this class.
Freeman, D. (2011). Techniques and principles in language teaching (3rd ed., p. 115).
New York, N.Y., USA: Oxford University Press.
What activities/techniques from this class do you want to remember for your own
teaching practice? Discuss specific ways in which you could apply the techniques and
methods you saw. Discuss your future teaching environment and your students needs
and goals. (100-200 words)
Before observing the class, I already knew well the teaching style of Ms. Lindwall
because I have experienced her class before. I always feel she is an enthusiastic T whom I
have ever seen. She is good at encouraging Ss well with complimentary phrases. Also,
the atmosphere of the class is high motivated as the T. Such atmosphere helps Ss
participate without worry about making mistakes. It is important for Ss to develop their
fluency in speaking. Moreover, while doing pair works, T always keeps observing each
pair and listening to Ss' ideas. Even though there were somewhat quite Ss, T paid same
amount of attention to them. It could make Ss feel that they are cared by the T. Thus, they
could participate with confidence. Every time when I observe classes, I feel the
importance of praise and compliment. Especially in this class, I learned that some
encouragement or praise looked a little bit exaggerated is also needed for Ss.
Compliments from T play an important role to motivate Ss to learn.

Last Updated: 7/24/2015 12:38 AM