Mastering the Art of Assessing ESL Writing

Assessment of ESL (English as a Second Language) student progress can be a challenging task for educators. While we have state and federal testing requirements, it's essential to monitor their daily progress informally as well. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the best and most effective tools for assessing ESL students in all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Understanding Bloom's Taxonomy

Before diving into specific activities for monitoring student progress, it's crucial to understand Bloom's Taxonomy. This pyramid guides the instruction of every teacher and is structured as follows:

1. Lower-level order thinking skills (LOTS): remembering and comprehension
2. Higher-order thinking skills (HOTS): analysis, evaluation

The goal when teaching English learners at any age is to help them understand what's happening in the classroom so they can develop their thinking skills in English. Younger students have an advantage due to more time for language acquisition, while older students may struggle to keep up with classwork.

To illustrate how Bloom's Taxonomy applies to assessing ESL student writing, let's consider a hypothetical example:

Scenario: You assign your intermediate-level ESL students an expository essay on the topic of climate change.

Level of Bloom's Taxonomy	Example Questions for Assessing Writing
Remembering	What are some causes and effects of climate change? What evidence supports these claims?
Understanding	How does the student explain the relationship between human activities and climate change? Does their argument make sense based on available evidence?
Applying	Does the student use appropriate vocabulary related to climate change (e.g., "greenhouse gases," "carbon footprint") in context throughout their essay? Do they provide specific examples and data to support their claims?
Analyzing	How well does the student organize their ideas into a coherent structure with clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion? Are there any logical fallacies or inconsistencies in their argument?
Evaluating	Does the student effectively weigh different perspectives on climate change (e.g., scientific consensus vs. skepticism) when forming their own opinion? Do they present a balanced view of the issue, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses in various arguments?
Creating	How original is the student's essay compared to other sources on climate change (e.g., news articles, scientific reports)? Does their writing demonstrate creativity and critical thinking beyond simply summarizing existing information?

By considering these questions at each level of Bloom's Taxonomy, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of your students' abilities as writers and identify specific areas for improvement.

Types of Assessment

Assessment involves checking in on student progress to see who is performing well and who needs additional support. We do this informally all the time through activities like check-in questions or journal entries shared individually or within a group. There are two types of assessment:

1. Informal (Formative): On-the-spot opportunities, authentic assessments, performance-based assessments without a single correct answer, and portfolio-type assessments
2. Formal (Summative): Unit tests, standardized tests that track student progress as a whole by school or class

To illustrate how these types of assessment can be applied to ESL writing instruction, let's consider another hypothetical example:

Scenario: You want to assess your beginner-level ESL students' understanding of basic grammar rules.

Type of Assessment	Example Activity for Assessing Writing
Informal (Formative)	Ask students to complete a cloze exercise where they fill in missing words based on context clues and their knowledge of subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, etc. This activity provides immediate feedback on individual student performance while also allowing you to identify common errors or misconceptions that may require additional instruction.
Formal (Summative)	Administer a multiple-choice test at the end of the unit covering various aspects of grammar (e.g., parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation). This type of assessment allows you to measure overall student progress and compare it against established benchmarks or standards for ESL learners at different proficiency levels.

By incorporating both informal and formal assessments into your teaching practice, you can gain a more complete picture of your students' writing abilities and make data-driven decisions about how best to support their learning needs.

Everyday Activities

Now let's explore some quick and effective activities for assessing your ESL students daily:

How to Assess Listening

Listening and speaking are closely related, but it's essential to monitor listening skills separately. Checking in on their listening abilities can provide valuable information about phonics, vocabulary, sentence structure, and instructions comprehension. Here are some ESL progress assessment activities for listening:

1. Dictation: Read a short passage aloud at a moderate pace while students write down what they hear. This activity helps develop note-taking skills and reinforces correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. For example, you might read the following sentence from an article about climate change: "Scientists have warned that rising global temperatures could lead to more frequent and severe weather events." Students would then write down this sentence as accurately as possible based on their listening comprehension.
2. Cloze exercises: Provide students with a partially completed text (e.g., an email, news article) where some words have been omitted. Their task is to fill in the missing words using context clues and their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar rules. For instance: "The United Nations has called for urgent action on climate change, as ____ evidence suggests that it poses a serious threat to our planet." (Students should write "mounting" or another appropriate adjective in the blank space.)
3. Games: Incorporate fun and engaging activities into your lessons that require students to listen carefully and respond quickly. For example, you could play TPR (Total Physical Response) games like mimicking actions based on verbal commands ("Touch your nose," "Jump up and down") or Bingo using vocabulary words related to climate change (e.g., "greenhouse gas," "carbon footprint").
4. Minimal pairs: Present students with two similar-sounding words that differ in meaning but have the same spelling pattern (e.g., "write" vs. "right"). Have them practice distinguishing between these minimal pairs by listening to recordings of each word and identifying which one was spoken. This activity helps improve phonemic awareness, a crucial skill for ESL learners when it comes to reading and writing in English.
5. Debate: For higher-level students who are ready for more complex tasks, you could organize a class debate on the topic of climate change. Divide the class into two teams - one arguing in favor of taking immediate action to address climate change, while the other argues against it. Each team should prepare their arguments and supporting evidence before presenting them orally during the debate. This activity not only assesses students' listening comprehension but also encourages critical thinking, persuasive writing skills, and public speaking abilities.

How to Assess Reading

There is a lot of reading done in school, and many subject areas already use these activities for monitoring student progress. Here are some adaptable ESL assessment activities for reading:

1. Journaling - reading response notebooks: Encourage students to keep a journal where they record their thoughts, questions, and reactions after reading various texts related to climate change (e.g., news articles, scientific reports). This activity helps develop critical thinking skills by encouraging students to analyze and evaluate different perspectives on the issue while also providing an opportunity for informal writing practice.
2. Drawing pictures: Have students create visual representations of what they read in the form of illustrations or diagrams. For example, after reading a passage about the greenhouse effect, students might draw a simple diagram showing how carbon dioxide traps heat within Earth's atmosphere. This activity helps reinforce key concepts and vocabulary while also providing an alternative mode of expression for visual learners who may struggle with traditional written assessments.
3. Acting out: Assign roles to individual students or small groups, asking them to act out scenes from a story or play related to climate change (e.g., Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth"). Encourage them to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar structures while also incorporating elements of drama, humor, and suspense into their performance. This activity helps develop public speaking abilities while also providing an opportunity for informal writing practice through scriptwriting or character development.
4. Open book assessments: Instead of relying solely on closed-book tests that require students to memorize information, consider incorporating open book assessments into your lessons. For instance, you could ask students to read a passage about the impact of climate change on polar bears and then answer questions based on their understanding of the text
5. Interviews with partners: Pair up students and have them interview each other about what they learned from reading a particular article or chapter related to climate change. Each student should take turns asking open-ended questions (e.g., "What surprised you most in this passage?") and responding thoughtfully based on their own interpretation of the text
6. Active reading/thinking: Encourage students to engage actively with the text by highlighting important information, underlining key phrases, and jotting down questions or comments in the margins as they read. You could also provide guiding questions at the beginning of each section (e.g., "What evidence does this author present to support their argument?") to help students focus on specific aspects of the text

How to Assess Speaking

Speaking is a crucial skill, and many schools now place high value on communication through oral assessments as part of their regular curriculum. Here are some ways to assess student speaking:

1. Interview with a partner: Pair up students and have them interview each other about what they learned from reading a particular article or chapter related to climate change. Each student should take turns asking open-ended questions (e.g., "What surprised you most in this passage?") and responding thoughtfully based on their own interpretation of the text. This activity helps develop oral communication skills while also providing an opportunity for informal writing practice through note-taking or summarizing key points from the interview.
2. Group discussion with each member contributing and one reporting out: Divide the class into small groups, assigning each group a specific aspect of climate change to discuss (e.g., renewable energy sources, deforestation). After allowing time for group members to share their ideas and opinions, ask one representative from each group to report back to the class as a whole. This activity not only assesses speaking skills but also encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and active listening among peers.
3. Creating a skit: Assign students roles in a short skit or play related to climate change (e.g., two scientists debating the merits of different approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions). Encourage them to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar structures while also incorporating elements of drama, humor, and suspense into their performance. This activity helps develop public speaking abilities while also providing an opportunity for informal writing practice through scriptwriting or character development.
4. Creating a presentation: Have students prepare and deliver oral presentations on various aspects of climate change (e.g., the causes and effects of global warming, potential solutions to mitigate its impact). Encourage them to use visual aids such as slideshows, posters, or videos to enhance their message and engage their audience
5. Creating a video: For students who are comfortable with technology and enjoy working independently or in small groups, you could challenge them to create short documentaries or public service announcements about climate change using digital tools like smartphones, tablets, or laptops. This activity not only assesses speaking skills but also encourages creativity, problem-solving, and media literacy among learners.  

How to Assess Writing

Lastly, let's discuss writing assessment. Like speaking, writing is a productive skill that can be challenging for English language learners. Here are some ways to assess ESL student writing:

1. Rubrics tailored specifically for English learners: Rubrics are an essential tool when assessing ESL student writing because they provide clear criteria and expectations for students to meet. When creating rubrics tailored for English learners, consider the following:

   • Language proficiency level: Ensure that your rubric aligns with the language proficiency levels of your students (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced).
   • Key writing skills: Identify the key writing skills you want to assess, such as grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, organization, and coherence.
   • Descriptive feedback: Provide descriptive feedback that helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
   • Examples and non-examples: Include examples of high-quality writing and non-examples to illustrate what you expect from your students.

   Here's an example of a simple rubric for assessing ESL student writing:

   Criteria	Beginner (1)	Intermediate (2)	Advanced (3)
   Grammar and Mechanics	Needs improvement - Many errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization	Some errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization - Mostly correct usage of basic sentence structures	Few or no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization - Correct use of complex sentence structures and advanced vocabulary
   Organization	Disorganized - Lacks a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion	Somewhat organized - Has an introduction but may lack coherence in the body paragraphs or conclusion	Well-organized - Clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs with supporting details, strong concluding statement
   Content	Limited content - Does not fully address the prompt or topic	Adequate content - Addresses most aspects of the prompt or topic but may lack depth or specificity	Rich and detailed content - Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the prompt or topic with clear examples, evidence, and analysis
   Vocabulary	Limited vocabulary - Relies heavily on simple words and phrases	Adequate vocabulary - Uses a mix of basic and advanced words and phrases but may still have some errors in word choice or usage	Rich and varied vocabulary - Demonstrates mastery of advanced vocabulary with precise word choices, appropriate collocations, and accurate idiomatic expressions

   For example, let's say you assign your intermediate-level ESL students an expository essay on the topic of climate change. Using this rubric as a guide, you could evaluate their writing based on how well they meet each criterion:

   • Grammar and Mechanics: Does the student demonstrate mostly correct usage of basic sentence structures? Are there any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization that need to be addressed?
   • Organization: Is the essay well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion? Does it lack coherence in any part of the text?
   • Content: Does the student thoroughly address all aspects of the prompt or topic with clear examples, evidence, and analysis? Or do they only provide limited content that does not fully explore the issue at hand?
   • Vocabulary: Does the student use a mix of basic and advanced words and phrases related to climate change (e.g., "greenhouse gases," "carbon footprint") in context throughout their essay? Are there any errors in word choice or usage that need to be corrected?  

2. Teaching writing skills explicitly: In addition to using rubrics, it's crucial to teach writing skills explicitly. This means breaking down the writing process into smaller steps and providing clear instructions for each step. Here are some tips for teaching writing skills:

   • Model good writing practices: Show students examples of high-quality writing by sharing your own work or that of other successful writers. For instance, you might share an essay on climate change written by a professional journalist or scientist and discuss its strengths and weaknesses as a piece of persuasive writing.
   • Provide opportunities for practice: Give students plenty of opportunities to write in different genres and formats, such as narratives, expository essays, persuasive speeches, and creative projects. This will help them develop confidence and fluency in their writing while also allowing you to assess their progress over time.
   • Offer constructive feedback: Provide specific, actionable feedback that helps students improve their writing skills over time. For example, instead of simply saying "Your grammar needs work," you could point out specific errors (e.g., subject-verb agreement issues) and suggest strategies for correcting them
   • Encourage peer review: Have students exchange drafts with classmates and provide each other with feedback using a structured rubric or checklist. This will help them develop critical thinking skills while also providing an opportunity for informal writing practice through note-taking or summarizing key points from the peer review session.

3. Creating portfolios: Creating portfolios is another effective way to assess ESL student writing because it allows you to track their progress over time. Here are some tips for creating portfolios:

   • Choose representative samples: Select a variety of writing assignments that showcase different genres, formats, and skill levels. For example, your portfolio might include a narrative essay about the student's personal experience with climate change, an expository essay on the causes and effects of global warming, and a persuasive speech arguing in favor of renewable energy sources.
   • Include self-reflections: Ask students to write brief reflections on each piece in their portfolio, highlighting what they learned from the assignment and how they plan to improve their writing skills in the future. This will help them develop a stronger sense of ownership over their work while also providing valuable insights into their learning process.
   • Provide opportunities for revision: Encourage students to revise and edit their work before adding it to their portfolios. This will help them develop a more critical eye towards their own writing and demonstrate their growth as writers over time.

For more resources and lesson ideas, check out The ESL Teaching Roadmap - a membership created specifically for middle and high school ESL teachers working with newcomers and mixed-level classes.

Incorporating Linguisity into Your Classroom

As mentioned earlier, monitoring your students' progress is crucial when teaching English learners at any age. By analyzing written content using advanced algorithms, Linguisity provides personalized feedback and suggestions to help both teachers and students improve their skills.

For example, when evaluating an intermediate-level student's expository essay on climate change based on Bloom's Taxonomy, you might use Linguisity to check for grammar errors or inconsistencies in sentence structure (remembering and comprehension). You could also analyze the organization of their ideas within each paragraph (analysis) or evaluate how well they weigh different perspectives when forming their own opinion about climate change solutions (evaluation).

In addition to helping teachers assess student writing more effectively, Linguisity can be a valuable resource for students themselves. By using Linguisity's AI-powered feedback and suggestions, ESL learners can gain insights into areas where they need improvement and develop strategies for refining their skills over time.

So whether you're looking to enhance your own teaching practice or empower your English language learners with the tools they need to succeed, consider incorporating Linguisity into your classroom routine today!