How often do you ask your students for their feedback? If I’m honest, this is a practice that I incorporated in my class just a few years ago, but I wish I had done it before because the impact has been tremendous.
I know that asking for student feedback can feel scary or intimidating, but it’s actually one of the best ways to improve our teaching practices. In this post, I’ll give you five essential questions that you can ask your students to get feedback on specific aspects of your teaching. I’ll also share some tips on how to use student feedback to inform your own professional growth and development as a world language teacher.
In episode 33 of Growing with Proficiency The Podcast, you can hear more details about this topic, and I answer a few of the questions you asked me on my IG account about leveling up students, grammar and error correction! Click above or here to listen to episode 33.
Importance of Student Feedback
Student feedback allows us to gain valuable insights into how our students perceive our class. We put a lot into our lessons, class routines, and class culture. We have the best intentions, but at the end we need to find out how our students are experiencing the class. This can help us decide what stays and what can go.
By getting this information, we can identify areas of strength and areas for growth. This lets us adjust our approach to better meet our students’ needs. It also helps build trust and rapport with our students.
Tips for Seeking Student Feedback
Here are some tips that will help you get the feedback you need while also making your students feel comfortable in the process.
- Create a safe and comfortable environment.
- Provide clear and specific questions. Don’t limit to multiple choice questions.
- Consider using anonymous surveys or feedback forms.
- Show that you value and respect their opinions.
Next, I’ll share essential questions to ask your students. I go into more detail in episode 33.
Five Essential Questions to Ask Students
- Ask about the use of the target language. “How challenging was it to stay in the target language?” “What helped and what prevented you from using it?”
- Next, ask about activities that worked in the class. “What did you like the most about the class?” Here is a good place to use a multiple-choice questions with answers such as: Our daily routine, Brain breaks, Moving, FVR, and/or Creating stories or telling stories.
- “What did you find most challenging about the class?”
- “What was your favorite unit?”
- “What areas do you think the teacher can improve upon?” “What suggestions do you have for improving the class?” Some suggestions for multiple choice: Talk slower, Spend more time with vocabulary and gestures, Do more brain breaks
In episode 33, I offer a few more questions for your student feedback form that will give you even more insight into what is working and what is not working in your class for your students.
Using Student Feedback to Guide Professional Growth and Development
By incorporating feedback from our students, we can create a more engaging and effective learning experience for them, but it can also guide our own professional growth. Look closely at the feedback. Then, take time to do some self-reflection. This will help you explore your thoughts about what you are reading from your students and help you plan and vision where you need to go next.
Remember to continue to seek feedback and adjust your approach accordingly. I hope this information helps you. Don’t forget to listen to episode 33 to hear even more about student feedback.
I have a student feedback template that I use, and I would love to share it with you! If you want to have a template or a document that is going to help you with some ideas, go HERE for your free copy.
Episode 33 Links & Resources
My Framework
Growing With CI FB Community
Blog
Teacher Pay Teachers Store
IG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott
Self-reflection guide with student survey template
CI Reboot23 Registration
Dr. Karen Lichman FB Live CI Reboot 22
