Improving the performance of supervisors starts from the stage of their recruitment. Choosing a supervisor should be based on some criteria.
A supervisor should
- be interested in the job.
- have a long history of experience as a talented teacher.
- have a good command of English and should be fluent.
- be quite aware of the teaching skills necessary for making an effective teacher of English.
- have some knowledge about the different and up-to-date methods of teaching English.
- have a clear idea about the courses taught in all the stages ( Primary, Preparatory and Secondary).
- be aware of the objectives of these courses.
- have a very good idea about the techniques used for teaching the different types of lessons.
The Supervisor’s role
A good supervisor should:
- provide a feeling of security.
- create a friendly atmosphere with the teachers he is supervising.
- inform teachers, in his first orientation visit, how they are going to be evaluated.
- inform teachers about the dates of his visits.
- provide every possible help to improve and develop teachers’ performance.
- provide systematic training courses based on topics suggested by the teachers themselves.
Personality traits of a good supervisor
A good supervisor should:
- be fair (his evaluation should not be influenced by personal disputes).
- be flexible i.e. he should give teachers the chance to express their points of view freely.
- be motivating and not frustrating so as to overcome weaknesses and enhance strengths.
- be a good listener.
- be friendly and supportive.
- encourage creativity i.e. encourages teachers to create their own techniques that best suit the standard of their students.
General recommendations for supervisors
- encourage teachers to be creative and not be slaves to the Teacher’s Book or Guide.
- avoid being a fault finder.
- provide immediate feedback, guidance and support. Let evaluation be your last and final target.
- be co-operative with the other supervisors.
- attend seminars and workshops for in-service training.
- make use of the Internet programs dealing with Teacher Evaluation Techniques.
This is, in fact, a quick look at the work of a supervisor of English and how he can be successful in his job. I hope you all benefit from this article.