MIRRORS FOR AN ESL CLASSROOM: USING REFLECTIVE TEACHING TO EXPLORE CLASSROOM PRACTICE AND ENHANCE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

Abstract

Reflection is described as the way in which people learn from their experience and seen as a deliberate thinking about action with a view to its improvement. Reflective teaching means looking at what you do in the classroom, thinking about why you do it, and thinking about if it works – a process of self-observation and self-evaluation. By collect- ing information about what goes on in our classroom, and by analysing and evaluating it, we identify and explore our own practices and underlying beliefs. Reflective teaching is significant and it has a high potential of bringing about desirable improvements and changes in the teacher’s instructions albeit learners’ performance. Reflective teaching is a means of professional growth which begins in our classroom.