Request for Permission to Observe an ELP Class
This form is used to request permission for observations of ELP classes only.
This is not a request to:
 conduct research
 participate in the class


interview students or the instructor
teach in an ELP class
Name: __________________________________
Today’s date: __________________
Email address: ____________________________
Phone number: _________________
Affiliation: Are you affiliated with Kansas State University or another educational institution?
Yes / No
Please explain your affiliation:
Please briefly explain why you would like to observe an ELP class and what you will do with the
information from your observation.
Is this observation part of a class assignment?
Yes
No
If yes, attach a copy of the assignment with this form.
Number of class sessions you want to observe: _______________
Level of ELP class you want to observe: Beginning / Intermediate / Advanced
Skill area of ELP class you want to observe: Reading / Writing / Listening / Speaking
If there is a specific ELP class that you want to observe, please specify:
Date(s) of observation: ______________________
Preferred time: _________________
Requests for observation must be made at least 1 week in advance. Every teacher has the right to
accept or reject observers in his/her class or to change the date of the observation due to class plans for
that date. The ELP may also deny observation requests for a variety of reasons.
For Faculty Communications Coordinator’s Use Only
Request: Approved / Denied
Reason: _________________________________________
 Instructor notified
 Added to observation calendar
 Observer notified
 Referred to ELP Leadership (if
needed)
 Signed agreement rec’d from
observer
For ELP Faculty Member – Request to Observe an ELP Class
Date: _____________________________
Dear _________________________________:
__________________________________ has requested to observe your ___________________
class that meets at ________________ in _______________________. The reason for the
observation is: _________________________________________________________________.
It is your choice if this observer will be allowed in your class on the requested date(s) or not.
The observation will not involve research or teaching by the observer. If the observer wants to
conduct research or teach in your class, please ask him/her to check with the ELP Office for the
proper form to request permission for these activities.
Please complete the portion below and return this form to the Faculty Communications
Coordinator within 48 hours so that we can communicate with the prospective observer about
this observation request. If you’d like, you may contact the observer before making your
decision. The Faculty Communications Coordinator can provide his/her contact information.
If you have any questions about the observation or this process, please contact the Faculty
Communications Coordinator.
To be completed by ELP Faculty Member:
I approve this observation request for the dates/times indicated above: Yes / No
I cannot approve this request for the dates indicated above, but would approve it for this alternate
date(s): ____________________________________
Comments:
________________________________________________
__________________
ELP Faculty Member’s Signature
Date
ELP Class Observation Agreement
Date: ______________________
Dear ____________________________________:
Your request to observe an ELP class has been approved / denied.
If Approved:
Class level and section: ______________________
Class time: ____________________
Class location: ________________________________
Date(s): _______________________
Instructor’s name: ____________________________
Email address: _________________
Please remember that this is permission to observe the class only. Recording or photography
of any type is prohibited.
Information obtained from the observation may only be used for the purposes stated in the
original observation request. For uses beyond the original request, written permission must be
obtained from the English Language Program.
Please read this form and the attached Classroom Observation Etiquette guidelines and sign
below. Before your observation, return this form to the ELP Office (Fairchild 205) or the
Faculty Communications Coordinator (elpobservation@ksu.edu).
I understand and agree to abide by the terms of this agreement.
______________________________________
________________________
Signature
Date
If Denied:
Rationale—
If you have any questions, please contact the ELP Faculty Communications Coordinator.
English Language Program at Kansas State University
Classroom Observation Etiquette
Welcome to the English Language Program! We are excited to share what’s happening in our
classes with you through a classroom observation. Please keep the following guidelines in mind
in order to make the observation a positive experience for you and the students and teacher
whose class you are observing.
Remember that:
 you are a guest in the class.
 an observation is always something of a disruption for the teacher and students.
 you are an observer and shouldn’t participate in or contribute to the class unless asked to
do so by the teacher. (Some teachers will want to include you in the lesson while others
may prefer to pretend that you aren’t there.)
 your thoughts on the observation should remain confidential except for information that
is included in an assignment submitted as part of the observation process.
Out of Common Courtesy:
 If possible, ask the teacher ahead of time where you should sit.
 Arrive on time or a little before class starts.
 Don’t leave until the class has ended unless you have made other arrangements with the
teacher in advance.
 Consider following up with a thank-you.
 If there is the opportunity to talk to the teacher before and afterward, keep in mind the
purpose of your observation and your role as an observer. Please do not offer criticisms
or suggestions unless the teacher asks for this type of feedback. Mentioning specific
things you liked about the class or inquiring about why the teacher has set the class up in
a certain way or why he/she approached a particular situation in a certain way may be
appropriate, depending on the situation. As you interact with the teacher, keep in mind
what you would expect from an observer in your own classroom.
 If the observation is part of a class assignment, offer the instructor a copy of the
completed work which mentions your observation of the class. The instructor may not
want a copy, but it is courteous to make the offer.