Monitoring: Reasons and strategies

Abstract

Monitoring students is an essential part of the task cycle, which starts with a short introduction to the task along with instructions. Then the teacher usually monitors students while completing the task before conducting feedback. Monitoring students while completing a task is crucial if it’s conducted appropriately. In training courses such as the CELTA and CertTESOL, I have noticed that trainees may over-monitor students and engage with them during the task, turning the monitoring into counterproductive interference. They may also be unaware of what to do exactly while monitoring students during different stages of the lesson. The following reasons and strategies explain why and how effective and discreet monitoring can be conducted...