Improve ESL Student's Language Skills With Effective Feedback And Corrections Strategies

25th August 2023

Every ESL teacher's prime responsibility is to help non-native English speaker to become fluent in the English language in both writing and communication. One of the important steps to help non-native English speakers is to give them continuous feedback for their growth and betterment.

However, many teachers don’t put their attention to giving feedback to their ESL students which could slow down the process of their English language learning process. Moreover, many teachers also think that they should only give positive feedback to their students, which doesn’t help the students to rectify their weakness or even recognize it in the first place.

According to edulearn2change.com, not just feedback but the quality of feedback matters the most. In the below image, you can see different qualities of effective teacher feedback.

In this blog post, we will be exploring some of the best practices and effective tips for giving feedback and correction to ESL students so that they can identify their shortcomings in language learning and be able to overcome them.

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So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

Why is Constructive Feedback Important?

Effective feedback is essential because it:
 

• Creates a positive classroom environment
• Sets attainable improvement goals
• Helps students identify and correct their mistakes
• Make Students eager to learn and perform better in class

Now, let’s get to know some of the effective strategies for giving constructive feedback and correctional feedback in ESL classroom.

Effective Strategies for Giving Constructive Feedback and Correctional Feedback in ESL Classroom

Tip 1: Set Clear Goals

Before delivering feedback, every ESL teacher must need to set clear teaching goals before teaching their lessons or giving feedback and those teachers who have pursued courses like TESOL Course India knows it really well. You must also need to explain the learning objectives which all students need to fulfill and what successful outcomes look like.

Tip 2: Balance between Compliments and Corrections

Maintaining a balance between offering corrections and giving compliments is essential in fostering a learning environment. When providing feedback it is important to be specific and provide detailed explanations about what the student did well. This approach helps students recognize their strengths and boosts their confidence.

Moreover, it is beneficial to acknowledge one or two things that the student is doing correctly before addressing any mistakes and offering guidance on how to rectify them.

Tip 3: Progression Matters the Most

Perfectionism can hinder the learning process and discourage students from taking risks. Instead of chasing perfectionism make students focus on learning process, which will not just improve their language learning but they will achieve their best version as well during learning. By creating a supportive environment, every ESL students will also feel more comfortable to do mistakes and learning from their errors.
 

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Tip 4: Give Time Before Giving Correction Feedback

Allowing students to express themselves without correction can help them feel more at ease and encourage active participation. Some students may appreciate receiving corrections feedback while others might become demotivated by them.

So, you must find the right balance before giving the feedback to create a supportive learning environment. You can utilize the teaching technique by giving a topic to your students in groups and correct them in the end instead of singling out students to give feedback individually.

Tip 5: Make Connections with Prior Knowledge

Connecting new information to what students already know can enhance their understanding and retention of the material. You can refer back to all the concepts and vocabulary, which they have already learned in their past classes, will help them to comprehend the new lessons effectively.

Additionally, you can also utilize real-life examples and references with which they are familiar during your teaching lessons to teach complex lessons concepts or challenging grammar points.

Tip 6: Emphasize on Communication Goal

While proper grammar and correct pronunciation are important, it is equally essential to prioritize the goal of communication. Language serves as a means to accomplish various objectives be it ordering food in restaurants, or making new friends.

Every ESL teacher should highlight the uses of the English language in real-life scenarios to achieve the desired outcomes rather than solely focusing on theoretical language learning.

Tip 7: Take ESL Student’s Feedback

Taking and listening to ESL student’s feedback is very crucial for effective ESL teaching. Make sure to check in with each student individually to see if there are any changes or additions, they need or would like to see in future classes.

It's also important to create opportunities for communication and incorporate their suggestions into your teaching approach. By considering their feedback you can improve your lesson plans to better meet their needs and enhance their learning experience.

Tip 8: Utilize Various Feedback Techniques

You can utilize different feedback techniques in different situations. Such as -
 

• Peer evaluation and correction

Encourage students to review and correct each other's work, fostering a learning environment.
 

• Focus on One Mistake At a Time

Choose a particular type of mistake at a time such as pronunciation, provide focused feedback, and practice opportunities.
 

• Content-focused feedback

When you’re teaching writing emphasize the overall content rather than just the form. Help students understand the importance of including all details in their writing.
 

• Whole class correction

Take note of mistakes made by ESL students during any classroom activity and write them on the board at the end. Then ask the class if they would make any changes.

Tip 9: Create a Supportive Learning Environment

Above all, ESL teachers must focus on creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes and taking risks. Build a classroom culture that celebrates effort, growth, and resilience. Encourage students to support and help each other, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Constructive Feedback Is Necessary For ESL Student's Growth

Learning any new language, in general, is not an easy task for every non-native speaker. However, those teachers who have pursued courses like TESOL Course India knows how to help ESL students learn the English language with the help of one of the important aspects of teaching which is giving Feedback.

Moreover, with the above-mentioned strategies of giving constructive feedback in this blog post, every ESL teacher can help their students to identify their shortcomings and be able to overcome them, which will also empower them to become confident and proficient English language learners.

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