Formal Classroom Observations: Factors That Affect Their Success

Formal class room observation is a very delicate topic in any educational institution. It involves a series of emotions and sentiments that come with the package. In this paper, the researcher will attempt to analyze the factors that affect the process in a relatively significant manner and thereby contribute greatly to the success or failure of the whole process. The researcher will also attempt to explore the various aspects of the process at two tertiary level educational institutions and how they can be controlled in order to maintain the purpose of the process as developmental and constructive rather than a critical, judgmental and/or negative outlook, which eventually defeats the whole idea of classroom observation for performance feedback and growth. The data was collected at two renowned English Language Institutes (ELIs) in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia through an online survey comprising of ten questions including one open-ended question. After analyzing the gathered data, conclusions were formulated and certain suggestive measures were proposed that can benefit the observers to look at the observation process in a better light. It will also help them accomplish the objectives of the process in a more prolific manner and thereby, contribute in achieving a more conscious and thorough professional development of the faculty on the whole.