Professional Partner Dialogue - observation report

 

 Observation report

Observer: Gema Verduzco Verduzco.

Date: June 24^th, 2024.

Class: Beginner/Elementary

Instructor: Braulio Santos Aguilar

 

Overview:

During this lesson, the focus was on teaching students how to describe people and objects in English. The class was divided into warm-up, presentation, practice, and production activities, with a final review to reinforce the day’s learning. The objective was to familiarize students with descriptive vocabulary and basic sentence structures, enabling them to confidently describe people and objects.

 

Student Engagement:

The students were generally enthusiastic and eager to participate in the lesson. The warm-up activity successfully activated prior knowledge, as many students were able to recall and share basic descriptive words in English. During the vocabulary introduction, students were attentive, repeating new words and showing interest in the visual aids used. However, a few students seemed shy or hesitant to speak up, likely due to uncertainty about their pronunciation or understanding.

 

Learning Outcomes:

Most students demonstrated a good grasp of the new vocabulary by the end of the presentation phase. They were able to identify and describe basic characteristics of people and objects, such as color, size, and shape. The grammar component of the lesson, focusing on the use of "is" and "has," was also well understood by the majority of the class. Students successfully created simple sentences and were able to apply these structures in their practice activities.

 

Challenges Encountered:

A notable challenge was the varying levels of English proficiency among the students. While some students quickly picked up the new vocabulary and sentence structures, others struggled with basic concepts. This disparity required additional support and attention, particularly during the pair activities. To address this, I provided extra guidance to those who needed it, but time constraints limited the amount of individual attention I could give.

Additionally, a few students found it difficult to stay focused during the longer activities, particularly the writing exercise. This was mitigated by encouraging peer support and allowing students to work together, which helped maintain their interest and engagement.

 

Teaching Strategies:

The use of visual aids, such as flashcards and pictures, was particularly effective in helping students understand and remember new vocabulary. Pair activities also proved beneficial, as they encouraged peer learning and allowed students to practice speaking in a less formal setting. The descriptive guessing game at the end of the lesson was a hit, providing a fun and interactive way for students to apply what they had learned.

 

Conclusion:

Overall, the lesson on describing people and objects was successful in achieving its objectives. The students showed progress in their ability to use descriptive language, and the activities were well-received. However, the differences in proficiency levels and the limited time for individual attention highlighted the need for differentiated instruction in future lessons. By continuing to incorporate engaging, interactive activities and providing targeted support, we can further enhance the students' learning experience and build their confidence in using English.