Reflections on a transnational peer review of teaching

Abstract

Peer observation of teaching often occurs at a local level or national level, seldom internationally. Victoria University, Australia, and Chinese institutions Henan University and Central University of Finance and Economics have a transnational partnership involving local students studying courses originating in Australia and Chinese students who move countries to continue study. A pilot transnational peer project was carried out matching up English teachers in the English-speaking country with English teachers in the home country. This could be very important in helping students who move from preparatory courses in their home country to higher level courses in an English-speaking one. Peer observation used technologies such as, video recording a class, email, and Skype. Teachers reflected on their own and each others� practice, methodology, students, and institutions. This paper may provide a model for exploring cross-cultural teaching practices and helping students who move between countries to study.