Last week at Early Service Training I, along with two other volunteers focusing on Teacher Training, had the opportunity to present a session on that topic. Based on our discussion with TEFL volunteers and PC Azerbaijan's TEFL focus of sustainability we thought this might be of use. We were lucky to have a great audience that remained enthused and engaged even though we were towards the end of the day.
The bulk of new material was on a six step process that has been shown to effectively work with training Azeri teacher counterparts. But really, its just a six step process in Tier 2 training-training of trainers. When working with people who already have a knowledge base its important to sincerely view them as a partner in mutual learning, rather than of expert and learner. This is especially the case when there are differences in age, presumed experience, education level, or anything else that could create a perceived power dynamic.
Below is our presented six step process, adapted to fit a more general audience (what? you're not all working with Azerbaijani teachers?). By 'method' I mean whatever technique, skill, competency, etc you are wishing to develop.
1) Ask permission to showcase a new method in context (workplace, classroom, etc). This acknowledges your respect for their involvement in the working environment and highlights partnership rather than lecture. This also informs them you will be doing something new.
2) Use the new method. Tell them shortly beforehand so they are aware.
3) Immediately after the situation in which the method was used, ask them what they saw. Ask follow up questions to whatever observations they made. Stay positive and explain any areas of non-understanding that they have themselves brought up.
4) Repeat steps 1-3.
5) Inform them they will be using the method next time. Give them enough time to prepare and, if possible, set a specific date and time for when the method will be used.
6) Praise and give constructive feedback. Ensure that you have specific observations for both praise and constructive feedback. If this is their first try, it is far more important to highlight what went well, so they can continue developing that, than pointing out what went wrong. Ask for their own observations.
This really doesn't take much time as its designed to be largely observational. The extra 'work' involved (asking follow up questions, etc) was all designed to be completable in 3-5 minutes, or the average length of time a PCV has with a teacher after class, but before they get to the teacher's room, where its time to socialize.
How do you teach others? What strategies and techniques work have worked for you?
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