Assessment Criteria for Second Language Microteaching Lessons

ABSTRACT: Microteaching, a technique used to help pre-service teachersprepare for real-world classroom settings and situations (one that enables them to learn about, develop, and improve their overall teaching skills in a cooperative and collaborative manner), is an integral part of teacher training programs around the world. It was invented by Dwight W. Allen in 1963 at Stanford University, and continues to be an effective avenue for improving student outcomes to this day. In its original form, pre-service teachers were asked to prepare a shortlesson (approximately 20 minutes) for a small group of learners (who could have been their classmates), which was recorded on video. Afterward, the pre-service teacher, learners, and master teacher viewed the recording together and commented on what they observed. While microteaching can be as short as five minutes, wherein asingle activity (or even part of one) is taught, this paper will focus on abbreviated lessons (much like microteaching‟s roots) and, specifically, how to assess or evaluate them, which involves four suggested categories and twenty criteria.

Keywords: microteaching, assessment, lesson planning, observation, feedback, self-reflection