GIVING STUDENT
FEEDBACK:
WHY, WHEN, AND HOW
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools teachers have to
support student learning. But it's not just about correcting
mistakes.
@LinhLeELT
In fact, too much
correction can
overwhelm and
discourage students,
especially if they feel
like they're "doing
everything wrong."
Effective feedback helps students stay motivated,
reflect on their progress, and understand how to
improve4without losing confidence. @LinhLeELT
Why does feedback matter
so much?
Maintains motivation
Effective feedback keeps students engaged and eager to improve
Encourages reflection
Helps students think about their learning process
Guides improvement
Shows students clear paths forward without damaging confidence
@LinhLeELT
When should we give
feedback?
Soon, but not too soon
Feedback is most helpful when it's given shortly after
the performance, so students can clearly connect your
comments to what they did. If we wait too long, that
connection weakens, and the learning opportunity
fades.
Not during fluency tasks
Avoid interrupting students during speaking tasks like
presentations or roleplays. In these moments, fluency
and confidence matter more than accuracy. Save
corrections for after the activity, perhaps as a short
group reflection on common mistakes.
Timing depends on the
activity
Timely feedback is essential, but it also needs to
respect the flow of communication and student
confidence.
@LinhLeELT
What should we focus on
when giving feedback?
Feedback is most effective when it's aligned with the purpose of
the activity.
Ask yourself: What were students supposed to practice?
Grammar exercise
=> Correct grammar
Speaking fluency task
=> Focus on fluency, not grammar
Journal entry
=> Respond to ideas and expression
Essay
=> Prioritize organization and argument clarity
You don't have to
correct every single
mistake
In fact, overcorrection can be discouraging for
students and even for you!
Focus instead on targeted feedback, especially in
the area the task was designed to develop. Less is
more.
@LinhLeELT
How can we give feedback
that actually helps?
Frame feedback as part of the learning journey:
what went well;
what to work on;
and how to improve next time.
Supportive feedback = Compliments + Corrections + Next
Steps
Explicit correction
Show the correct form or rewrite the
sentence
Implicit correction
Underline the error, use symbols, or ask
guiding questions
Praise
Be specific: "Strong topic sentence!" or
"Great example of cause-effect!"
Feedback sandwich
Start with a compliment, offer a suggestion,
and finish with encouragement
@LinhLeELT
Tools that support
effective feedback
Checklists
Break down tasks into steps or criteria so students can
track their progress. Great for writing assignments or
projects.
Rubrics
Clarify what excellence looks like in different areas (e.g.,
content, grammar, organization).
Use them for both formative feedback (during the
process) and summative assessment (final grade).
@LinhLeELT
What else helps?
Metacognitive reflection
Ask students to think about how they learned, what
strategies helped, and what they might try next time.
This kind of reflection builds learning autonomy and may
even plant the seeds for lifelong learning.
Checklists and Rubrics
These tools help clarify expectations and give students a
sense of control over their progress.
Use them to support both formative (in-process) and
summative (final) assessments.
@LinhLeELT
Final Thought
The goal of feedback isn't just to point out what
went wrong. It's to guide students forward.
When we pay attention to when, what, and how we
give feedback, we help students stay motivated,
build confidence, and take ownership of their
learning.
Let's make feedback a tool for growth, not
judgment.
@LinhLeELT
