What is Job Shadowing?
Job shadowing is an invaluable professional development tool for language teachers. It allows teachers and academic managers to observe colleagues in real classroom settings, gaining first-hand insight into different teaching approaches, methodologies, and classroom management techniques.
For many teachers, training courses and professional development workshops are useful, but there is no substitute for seeing teaching in action. Job shadowing offers a practical, hands-on way to explore new ideas, refine teaching skills, and engage with best practices in a meaningful way.
It also plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of collaboration within language schools, encouraging teachers to support each other, exchange ideas, and continuously develop their skills. Whether a teacher is new to the field or highly experienced, shadowing provides an excellent opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow.
Learning Through Observation
Observing another teacher in action provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of a classroom. It offers a chance to see how different teachers engage students, deliver lesson content, and manage challenges as they arise. This kind of exposure can be eye-opening, often sparking inspiration that goes beyond what traditional training sessions can provide.
For instance, a teacher who finds it challenging to get students speaking in class may gain new insights by observing how a colleague sets up communicative activities, scaffolds discussions, or uses effective questioning techniques to encourage student interaction. Another teacher might be looking for fresh ways to integrate pronunciation work into speaking tasks or incorporate authentic materials to make lessons more engaging – something they can observe first-hand through job shadowing.
But observation alone is not enough. The real value comes from reflecting on what was seen and considering how to apply these insights to one’s own teaching. That’s why structured feedback and post-observation discussions are an essential part of the process.
Supporting Professional Growth
Job shadowing offers different benefits depending on a teacher’s level of experience.
For newer teachers, it’s an opportunity to gain confidence by seeing effective teaching techniques in action. Observing experienced educators can provide reassurance that certain challenges – such as keeping students engaged, handling unexpected classroom situations, or pacing a lesson effectively – are part of the learning curve. It’s also a chance to pick up specific techniques that can be immediately applied to their own teaching practice.
For more experienced teachers, job shadowing allows for professional reflection and fresh inspiration. Every teacher develops habits over time, and shadowing can reveal new ways of approaching familiar challenges. It can also highlight strengths and areas for improvement, helping teachers refine their approach through exposure to different styles.
One of the most valuable aspects of job shadowing is the feedback process. Constructive feedback from both the observer and the observed teacher leads to meaningful professional growth. The process isn’t about critique but about learning from one another in a supportive and non-judgemental way.
Fostering Collaboration
Strong teaching teams are built on collaboration. Job shadowing fosters a culture where teachers feel comfortable sharing ideas, learning from one another, and developing together.
When teachers actively engage in observing and reflecting on their colleagues’ lessons, it naturally encourages discussions about best practices, innovative techniques, and shared challenges. This kind of open exchange strengthens professional relationships and promotes a more supportive teaching environment.
Collaboration also extends beyond immediate colleagues. In larger schools or international teaching contexts, job shadowing provides the chance to observe different teaching methodologies across a variety of classroom settings. This exposure can be invaluable, particularly in schools where teachers come from diverse teaching backgrounds and bring different perspectives on methodology and classroom management.
Connecting Theory to Practice
Teacher training and professional development courses cover essential pedagogical theories, but job shadowing brings those theories to life. Seeing them in action helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
For example, a teacher may have learned about communicative language teaching (CLT) during their training but may struggle with implementing it effectively in the classroom. By observing a colleague successfully using CLT strategies, they can see how it works in practice, making it easier to adopt those techniques themselves.
Similarly, theories around differentiation, scaffolding, and student autonomy often make more sense when observed in real classroom interactions. Job shadowing provides a concrete way to see these concepts applied in ways that might not be immediately obvious in training materials or lesson plans.
A Tool for Academic Managers
For academic managers and teacher trainers, job shadowing is a powerful tool for professional development planning. It provides direct insight into how teachers are working, what support they might need, and where improvements could be made.
Rather than relying solely on formal observations – which can sometimes feel stressful for teachers – job shadowing allows for a more natural and organic assessment of teaching quality. It helps managers identify strengths within the team, pinpoint areas for development, and provide targeted support that is genuinely responsive to teachers’ needs.
It also strengthens mentoring and peer support within the school, creating a professional development framework that is ongoing rather than based on occasional training sessions.
Encouraging Cultural Exchange
In multinational ELT environments, teachers often bring different teaching styles influenced by their own cultural and educational backgrounds. Job shadowing provides a unique opportunity to observe and learn from these diverse approaches, which can be incredibly enriching for both teachers and students.
For example, a teacher trained in a more teacher-centred educational system might benefit from observing a colleague who uses a highly student-centred approach. Likewise, a teacher accustomed to working with small groups may gain insights from watching a colleague manage a much larger class effectively.
This cultural exchange helps to build a more inclusive and adaptable teaching community, where different perspectives are valued and integrated into daily practice.
Introducing Our Job Shadowing Programme at ATC Language Schools, Dublin and Bray
At ATC Language Schools, we’re excited to introduce our new program to both schools kin Bray and Dublin: Job Shadowing for Language Teachers.
This immersive programme is designed to give teachers the opportunity to observe experienced English language instructors, engage in structured feedback sessions, and participate in professional development workshops, all while enjoying the vibrant city of Dublin, or the beautiful seaside town of Bray.
The course includes:
- Classroom observations with experienced teachers.
- Meetings with teachers for reflection and shared practices.
- Meetings with members of the Academic Management team.
- Observation of skills assessments in the classroom to explore practical applications.
- Workshops on best practices and innovative teaching techniques.
Participants will leave with fresh insights, practical strategies, and a deeper understanding of effective teaching.
Who is the Job Shadowing Course For?
This course is designed for language teachers and ELT professionals at all stages of their careers. Whether you’re a newly qualified teacher looking for hands-on insights or an experienced educator seeking fresh perspectives, this job shadowing program provides a wonderful opportunity to enhance and develop your teaching skills.
It’s also ideal for academic managers and teacher trainers who want to refine their observation and mentoring techniques while gaining new ideas for professional development within their institutions.
Why Choose Our Job Shadowing Course?
At ATC Language Schools, we provide a structured, immersive job shadowing experience in a dynamic learning environment. Our programme goes beyond passive observation – visiting teachers are invited to immerse themselves in the school, observing lessons and participating in workshops, working with ATC’s assessment procedures, interviewing teachers and members of the academic management team, and building up a portfolio of teaching resources.
Participants will:
- Observe a variety of teaching styles and methodologies
- Gain hands-on experience with effective classroom techniques
- Receive personalised feedback and mentoring
- Learn how to apply new strategies in their own teaching practice
- Build professional networks with other ELT professionals
Job shadowing is one of the most effective ways to develop as a teacher, and of the most rewarding CPD tools a teacher can engage with. By engaging with real classroom experiences, reflecting on best practices, and collaborating with colleagues, teachers can continue to evolve and improve, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for their students.
To find our more about ATC’s Job Shadowing programme, feel free to click here – ATC Job Shadowing.
ATC’s programmes are all eligible for Erasmus+ funding, for more information about Erasmus+ please click here – Erasmus+ with ATC.
Other programmes available at ATC in line with the Erasmus+ KA1 objectives are:
Language Teaching with AI
STEAM Methodology
CLIL Methodology
Teaching Sustainability Through Project Based Learning
English for Educators and Adminstrative Staff