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In the world of online ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching, giving helpful feedback to students and their parents is incredibly important. Good feedback helps students understand how they're doing in English and gives them confidence to keep learning.
This guide will show ESL teachers how to give feedback (plus a template that that helps students improve and involves their parents too.
What is Effective Feedback for ESL?
Imagine holding up a mirror to a person- an effective ESL feedback is an avenue for learners to get a reflection of themselves. As an ESL online tutor, it is your responsibility to process this reflection in a realistic and engaging way to guide them to improvement. To do this well, instructors need to have a structured approach that involves the following :
Setting clear learning goals
Periodic assessment
Personalization
Timeliness
Variation
Processing
Building an arsenal of feedback tools to help ESL tutors manage their time
Step by Step Guide: Structured for an Effective ESL feedback
Step 1: Understanding Why Feedback is Important in Online ESL Classroom
In online ESL, feedback is like a flashlight. It helps students see where they're doing well and where they need to improve in English. Good feedback helps students feel good about learning and keeps them going.
Example: Imagine a student, who is struggling with speaking English fluently. Feedback in this case would focus on encouraging her efforts and pointing out specific areas where she's making progress, such as improved pronunciation or increased vocabulary usage. A positive feedback comment could be: "Sarah, I noticed how confidently you used new vocabulary words in our conversation today. Keep up the good work!"
Step 2: Setting Clear Goals for Learning English
Before giving feedback, it's important to know what students are trying to learn. For example, if a student is just starting, they might be learning basic words like "hello" and "goodbye." Having clear goals helps teachers and parents know what to focus on.
Example: Let's say the goal for a beginner student is to learn basic greetings and introduce himself in English. Feedback could focus on how well David is able to use these greetings in conversation. A feedback comment might be: "David, you did a great job greeting your teacher in English today! Keep practicing these phrases, and soon you'll be speaking fluently."
Step 3: Making Feedback Personal for Each Student
Every student is different. Some students might be good at speaking, while others might be good at reading. Feedback needs to be tailored to each student's strengths and weaknesses.
Example: For a student named Emily who struggles with reading comprehension but excels in speaking, feedback might involve praising her oral communication skills while offering support and additional resources to improve her reading comprehension. A feedback comment could be: "Emily, your confidence in speaking English is impressive! Let's work together to strengthen your reading skills by practicing with more English texts."
Step 4: Giving Feedback that Helps Students Improve
Feedback should be specific and helpful. Instead of just saying, "You need to do better," teachers should explain in actual context what the student can do to improve. Use specific examples that students can remember.
Example: If a student consistently makes grammar mistakes in his writing, feedback could focus on providing specific examples of errors and offering explanations or exercises to practice those grammar rules. A feedback comment might be: "Michael, I noticed a few errors in your writing related to verb tenses. Let's review these grammar rules together and practice with some exercises to improve your accuracy."
Step 5: Making Sure Feedback is Given on Time
Feedback is most helpful when it's given right after students do something. This way, they can remember what they did and how to improve.
Example: After a speaking activity where students practice describing pictures, feedback should be provided immediately. For example, a feedback comment could be: "Great job describing the picture, Sarah! Next time, try to use more adjectives to make your descriptions even more vivid."
Step 6: Talking with Parents about Young Students' Progress
Parents are important partners in helping students learn English. Teachers should keep parents informed about how their child is doing and what they can do to help.
Example: In a parent-teacher one on one talk, teachers can discuss the student's progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. For instance, a teacher might say: "Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, I wanted to share with you how well Sarah is progressing in her English skills. She's been practicing her vocabulary regularly, and I encourage you to continue supporting her at home by reviewing vocabulary together."
Step 7: Using Different Ways to Communicate Feedback
People learn in different ways, so feedback should be given in different ways too. Teachers can use written comments, videos, or live discussions to give feedback.
Example: In addition to written comments on assignments, teachers can use video recordings to provide feedback on students' speaking skills. For instance, a teacher might record a short video praising a student's pronunciation and offering tips for improvement.
Step 8: Helping Students Learn to Reflect on Their Own Learning
Students can learn a lot by thinking about what they've done and how they can do better. Teachers can help students learn to think about their own learning by asking them questions like, "What did you find easy this week? What was hard?" This helps students become better learners.
Example: At the end of a lesson, teachers can ask students to reflect on what they learned and how they felt about their progress. For example, a teacher might ask: "What new words did you learn today? What do you think you did in our speaking activity?" This encourages students to think critically about their learning and sets the stage for future improvement.
Effective ESL Feedback Tool: Template for Online Tutors
The quality of your feedback in your ESL lessons matter, and going about it offhandedly can not only affect it's effectivity, but can also waste your time and effort. Here's a sample template you can use to make your ESL feedback not only effective, but also efficient:
Date: Time: Teacher: Student: Lesson/Topic: Status:Pages Covered:Review and Feedback on Today's ESL LessonDear [Student's Name],I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to provide you with some feedback on today's ESL lesson.1. Positive Feedback:[Provide positive remarks on the student's participation, engagement, and enthusiasm.]
2. Observations:[Highlight areas of improvement observed during the lesson, such as language skills, pronunciation, or comprehension.]
3. Areas for Improvement:[Identify specific areas where the student can focus on improving, such as grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation.]
4. Suggested Action Steps:[Recommend actionable steps the student can take to address the areas for improvement, such as additional practice exercises or resources to utilize.]
5. Closing Remarks:[Express appreciation for the student's efforts and dedication to learning English. Encourage them to continue working on their language skills and offer support if needed.]
Throughout this guide, we've talked about how important feedback is in online ESL learning. From understanding why feedback matters to talking with parents about students' progress, we've covered all the important steps teachers can take to help students succeed. By setting clear goals, giving feedback at the right time, and using different ways to communicate, teachers can create a supportive environment where students feel confident to learn and grow.
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