In brief:

• Practicum Supervising Instructors act as a liaison between the Practicum Student and the Sponsor Teacher and the Sponsor Teacher and the Course Instructor.

• Observes the student teacher on two separate occasions, providing the student with feedback and advice on teaching methods and lesson plans.

“I am a sort of “Outside Eye” [Supervising Teacher] for practicum students who are working in classes other than my own. I go out to observe them on the front lines. Though my relationship with them in that capacity is, of course, less involved than as a Sponsor Teacher, I do value the opportunity to give them feedback and to see other ESL classes that are in full-swing. In this fairly new field of L2 there are constant shifts and swings and bends and such, and my involvement with the Department allows me to feel in tune with all of those.”

- Cam Culham, UVic English Language Centre

Description

During the practicum, a Practicum Supervisor will come observe the student teach. Normally, there are two visits: one shortly after the beginning of the practicum and one towards the end. These times are pre-arranged by the practicum student in consultation with his or her sponsor teacher.
At the end of the practicum, we ask the Sponsor Teacher and the Supervising Instructor to evaluate the student’s teaching performance and potential as a language teacher by filling out an evaluation form.

This input is a very important factor in the overall assessment of the practicum student’s performance. Our program would not run as smoothly as it does without the support of the many supervising instructors who donate their time and energy to helping our students throughout the practicum process.

Guidelines for Practicum Supervising Instructors

• To represent the Course Instructor in this arrangement.

• To contact the Sponsor Teacher shortly after the Practicum Student has been assigned to establish a line of communication and to respond to any concerns.  The Supervisor will endeavor to discuss the progress of the Practicum Student with the Sponsor Teacher on a regular basis, either in person or on the telephone.

• To establish a regular schedule of contacts with the Practicum Student.

• To be available to the Practicum Student on an 'on call' basis (at times suggested by the Supervisor) for the duration of the practicum to consult on lesson planning, to discuss ideas and concerns, and to provide support for the Student's endeavors as requested by either the Sponsor Teacher or the Student.

•  To make at least two classroom observations by pre-arrangement with the Sponsor Teacher and the Student.

• To be available to discuss the student's lesson plans prior to the observation sessions and comment on feasibility, timing, appropriateness of activities, correctness of grammatical explanations, and anything else that the Supervisor, Instructor and/or Student deems advisable.

• To discuss the lesson with the student after each observation, offering constructive criticism, suggestions for improvement and alternatives, asking reflective questions, and giving praise for effort and success.

•  To be responsible for ensuring that the student's classroom dress and manner are appropriate to the teaching situation.

• To make a written evaluation of the Practicum Student's performance and assess the student's potential as an ESL or other language teacher on forms provided by the Course Instructor -- to be submitted to the Instructor within two weeks of the end of the practicum.  The original copy of the report will be given to the Practicum Student by the Course Instructor.

• To report any unusual problems or misunderstandings to the Course Instructor for his or her intervention, as soon as any such problem is recognized.

Testimonials

Our students aren’t the only people who benefit from our program; read what one of the Supervising Instructors had to say about her experience!

“It is a joy to help the UVic practicum teachers develop their classroom skills and start their careers in ESL. Their enthusiasm for learning always shines through and impacts the students in the host class. Everybody enjoys the experience. I’ve met some excellent future teachers through supervising practicum students!”

- Bev Horsman
Chair, Basic ESL (BESL), Camosun College
Longtime Trustee in SD61
UVic Applied Linguistics Grad

Contact Nicholas Travers (alassist@uvic.ca) if you are interested in becoming a Supervising Instructor.