Observation Table:

Reasons for speaking in the classroom

Class:
2-5
Number of learners:
25
Length of lesson:
1Hour
Teacher observed Language:
English
Learning Goals:
Learn sound Tt
Materials used: PowerPoint slides- words cards

Reason for speaking

Learner repeats word /
1 phrase
after
teacher
whole
Learner
repeats
word /
2 phrase
after
teacher
group
Learner
repeatsword
/ /
3

phrase after teacher

individual
Learner answers direct

4 question
from
teacher
Learner
answers open
5 question
teacher
6 from
Learner
asks teacher a

Learner A

Learner B

______

Learner C

E E E

E E E

E E E

E E E

E E E

E E E

E E
E

E E

E
E

E E
E
E

question
Learner answers a
7 partner in
Paired
activity
Learnerwork
answers
a group
8 member in group work
activity
Learner answers the
9 teacher
10 informally
Learner answers peer
informally

E
E
E

E
E

11 Other reason for

speaking
12 Other reason for
speaking

Reflections on Observation Task 1: Chit Chat

Read the questions below and write your answers

What was the most common reason for speaking? The most common reason
was Chit Chat.
What was the least common reason for speaking? The least common reason
was answering and participating.
Were there any boxes with no ticks? Yes
How much of the lesson was spent on the teacher using Teacher Talk, in
your opinion? Ten minutes.
Do you feel it was an appropriate amount of talk? Why / Why not? Yes,
because children get bored easily from long time of talking and they will
excuse to go to the bathroom or they may feel sleepy.
What do you think is an appropriate sequence of interaction patterns?
Now consider how much Arabic was used. Do you think it was used
appropriately?
Why? / Why not? There were lots of Arabic, I will excuse them, because this is
their first year of learning English and it is the second language, so they may
have small difficulties in learning.

Reflection for Bonus Points

You do not have to do this activity. However, if you want a higher grade,
you must do it. If you are interested in thinking about this subject more,
consider the following reflection.
Choose one of the following questions (A, B, or C) and write your answer:
A.

Why is talk important for teachers?

Why is talk important for learners? (Think about the What and How.)

B. Why is it important to think about using English for varied purposes in

the classroom? For example, not just for giving an example, but also for
correcting, for praising, for everyday uses, like asking for help, or asking to
borrow something?

C.
What role do you think Arabic should play in the English classroom?
The teacher may use the Arabic as a translation language for the English and
she may explain meaning of some words in Arabic.