Teaching tools
A series of teaching tools to support teaching languages in Stages 4 and 5.
Visible thinking
Using a range of visible thinking tools and strategies in the languages classroom can lead to increased student engagement and deeper levels of understanding. In this guide, we link a range of tools with concrete examples of classroom activities.
Visible thinking in the languages classroom (DOCX 8 MB)
Feedback
Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on student achievement. Feedback that focuses on improving tasks, processes and student self-regulation is the most effective (Source: What works best: 2020 update, Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, April 2020).
Effective feedback:
- communicates your assessment of a student’s performance
- stimulates students to reflect on their own learning
- provides advice on future learning.
Feedback may include teacher feedback, peer feedback or a student’s own feedback, for example through a student learning journal. Learn more about each type of feedback via the links below.
Learning journals
Student learning journals support students to plan, set goals and write reflections, helping the development of the language skills. They are also a tool for students to give themselves feedback, and to share their learning journey with the teacher.
Learning journals – a guide for students (DOCX 103 KB)
Self-reflection
Our online sample self-reflection guide for students is a useful and immediate resource that you can share with your students. The guide explores the purpose of self-reflection in student learning and includes examples of self-reflection questions based on language learning.