Effective Feedback Strategies for Multilingual Student

When, and how often, is it appropriate to provide error correcting for students' second language speaking?

1. Timing:

• Immediate Correction: During interactive activities or speaking exercises, immediate correction can be beneficial as it helps students recognize their errors in real-time. However, be mindful not to interrupt the flow of communication excessively.

• Delayed Correction: In more open-ended or free-flowing speaking activities, consider delaying the error correction until the end of the conversation or activity. This allows students to focus on conveying(傳達) their message without constant interruptions.

2. Frequency:

• Focus on Priority Errors: Target the most essential errors that hinder(阻礙)comprehension or communication. Correcting every single mistake might overwhelm the students and hinder fluency.

• Gradual Increase: As students become more advanced, gradually increase the intensity of error correction. Beginners might benefit from more leniency, while advanced students can handle more detailed correction.

3. Types of Errors:

• Global Errors: These errors significantly affect the meaning of the message. Correcting these is usually important as they can lead to misunderstandings.

• Local Errors: These errors don't impede overall comprehension but might affect accuracy(準確性). Depending on the context, you can choose whether to correct them immediately or later.

4. Positive Feedback:

• Provide positive feedback for effective communication, fluency, and effort. This boosts students' confidence and motivation.

Some Effective Feedback Strategies for Multilingual Student

1. Positive Reinforcement:

• Start with positive feedback to highlight what the student has done well. Reinforce their strengths in language use to build confidence.

1. Prioritize Communication:

• Emphasize effective communication over perfection. Encourage students to focus on conveying their ideas, even if there are language errors.

1. Clear and Constructive Feedback:

• Offer clear and specific feedback on both content and language. Point out specific instances where improvements can be made, providing constructive suggestions.

1. Model Correct Language Use:

• Demonstrate proper language use by providing examples. This helps students understand how to apply grammar rules, use vocabulary, and structure sentences correctly.

1. Address High-Priority Language Issues:

• Identify and address high-priority language issues that may affect comprehension. Focus on common grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation errors.

1. Encourage Self-Editing:

• Teach students how to self-edit their work. Provide guidance on common mistakes and strategies for self-correction, empowering them to take an active role in improving their language skills.

1. Cultural Sensitivity:

• Be aware of cultural differences that may influence language choices. Encourage students to express their ideas within the context of their own cultural backgrounds.

1. Use Visual Aids:

• Incorporate visual aids, charts, or diagrams to explain language concepts. Visual aids can be particularly helpful for multilingual students in understanding complex grammar rules or language structures.

1. Provide Resources:

• Recommend language resources such as dictionaries, language learning apps, or online grammar tools. Encourage students to use these tools to enhance their language proficiency outside of class.

1. Peer Feedback:

• Introduce peer feedback sessions where students can exchange drafts and provide constructive comments to each other. This promotes a collaborative learning environment.

1. Individualized Feedback:

• Recognize the unique needs of each student. Tailor feedback to address specific language challenges they may be facing, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.

1. Encourage Questions:

• Create an open environment where students feel comfortable asking questions about language usage. Encourage them to seek clarification on any aspect of the language they find challenging.

1. Regular Check-ins:

• Conduct regular check-ins to assess progress. Discuss improvements and set achievable language goals to motivate and guide students in their language development.

1. Celebrate Progress:

• Celebrate the progress students make in their language skills. Recognize and acknowledge improvements, no matter how small, to motivate continued effort.

1. Provide a Growth Mindset:

• Foster a growth mindset by emphasizing that language proficiency is a continuous journey. Encourage students to view language learning as a process of improvement rather than a quest for perfection.

By incorporating these strategies, we can create a supportive and inclusive environment that facilitates the language development of multilingual students and helps them build confidence in their communication skills.

• 6 Essential Strategies for ELLs

• 5 Effective Modeling Strategies

• A Strategy for Giving Corrective Feedback

• Distance Learning with ELLs

References:

• Effective Feedback Strategies for Multilingual Student

•  Giving feedback to language learners