Self-Reflection Assessment
Improving Speaking for ESL Students Through Self-Reflection
Below you will find some checklists for different speaking tasks you might use in the ESL classroom.
1. Begin by choosing one to focus on for that lesson and put the checklist up on the board before beginning the speaking task.
2. Ask the students to discuss why each is important (for example: Why is it important to brainstorm words and phrases in English before speaking?).
3. Tell the students to choose two to focus on for the speaking task.
4. As they are speaking, avoid correcting or giving any feedback. Since they will be assessing their own speaking at the end of the lesson, it is better if they do not receive any feedback from you. However, if you feel a student is really struggling, you could help by giving examples or prompts.
5. At the end of the speaking task, draw the students' attention back to the board and ask them to work in groups. They should spend a few minutes reflecting on their OWN speaking, not their peers' speaking.
6. Ask them to identify a strength and an area for improvement.
7. As a follow up, they could identify how they could improve for the next lesson.
Self-Reflection Checklists
Fluency Checklist:
Did I…
Brainstorm words and phrases in English before speaking
Give reasons and examples to support my opinion
Ask myself WH- questions to give more details to my story
Ignore my grammar/vocabulary/pronunciation
Accuracy Checklist:
Did I…
Brainstorm words and phrases in English before speaking
Use the best grammar/tenses to express my meaning
Use the vocabulary from this week
Correct my own mistakes
Conversation Strategies Checklist:
Did I…
Support my ideas with examples, reasons, and/or anecdotes
Ask my group members questions
Show interest in what others were saying (eye contact, body language, phrases)
Connect and relate to what others were saying
Seminar Discussion Checklist:
Did I…
Support my ideas with facts/statistics/evidence
Use formal and academic vocabulary (including transition words and phrases)
Ask other group members to participate when necessary
Play the devil’s advocate when necessary
Politely interrupt when necessary
