Peer-coaching Based Professional Development: A Sample of a School of Foreign Languages

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the views of lecturers about the effectiveness of the implementation of the peer-coaching practice conducted at the school of foreign languages of a foundation university. The lecturers who took part in the peer coaching practice in the academic year 2019-2020 acted as the participants in this case study. The qualitative data was collected via interviews and document analysis. Content analysis and descriptive analysis methods were used in the process of data analysis. The findings from the analysis showed that peer-coaching practice consisted of lesson observations, pre and post-observation meetings, and reflection stages. It was concluded that peer-coaching contributed to the instructional and classroom management skills of the lecturers as well as improving relations between colleagues and solidarity in the school. It was also concluded that providing sufficient time and resources and training lecturers about effective communication were essential for the peer-coaching practice to be effective.