SELF-ASSESSMENT

C&T 824: Problems in Second Language Acquisition: Self-Assessment

Desirae Jellison

University of Kansas
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It is important for teachers to self-evaluate their level of grammar and language

knowledge so that they can give the most effective feedback to EL students. A teacher’s

ability in grammar can have a positive or negative impact on the feedback that they give

their students. Dana R. Ferris states, “…writing instructors may not be adequately

prepared in formal grammar and pedagogy to address the challenging task of providing

effective error feedback and supplemental grammar instruction” (p. 58, 2011). Without

formal grammar and pedagogy, it is problematic to identify student errors or provide

instruction on how to correct errors. In order to gain a better understanding of my level

of grammar/writing proficiency, I used data from four grammar assessments that were

completed over the course of a week. I assessed my skills in subject-verb agreement,

combining sentences subornation, choosing the correct pronoun form, and using correct

capitalization and punctuation. I recorded the results and analyzed the data to create a

professional development course of action to ensure mastery and strengthen my skills.

Assessment Results

Grammar Assessment Results

Making subjects and verbs agree 80%

Combining Sentences using subordination 80%
Choosing the correct pronoun form 86.67%
Using correct capitalization and 73.33%
punctuation

It is evident from the data that I need to improve my overall grammar proficiency.

The data results were not surprising to me because writing/grammar is my weakest skill.

Fortunately, I am teaching third grade language standards and the concepts are very basic

compared to the self-assessments. My students are not producing complex sentences and
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won’t require a high-level of grammar feedback. However, it doesn’t mean that I am not

accountable for an inadequate pedagogy.

In order to increase my content mastery, I will dedicate time throughout the week

to study and exercise grammar skills. There are many lessons that I can study and

practice from the website www.englishgrammar.org. In addition to the grammar lessons,

I will purchase a grammar and writing resource book to practice grammar skills in

combination with writing. This will reinforce my grammar skills and build my level of

undemanding and confidence as a writer. The lessons and practice will further develop

my pedagogy and allow me to provide effective feedback to my students.

My experience with giving feedback to English language learners is limited. I do

give feedback to my students, but I am unsure if it is effective and efficient. When my

students complete a writing piece, I will conference with the student to discuss my

feedback. My feedback usually consists of punctuation and capitalization concepts. Many

students’ writing will contain little or no punctuation or misuse apostrophes. I conduct

mini lessons on the certain skills and students will master the skill, but when they have to

apply it to formal writing their mastery level is not properly portrayed. Along with my

grammar professional development action plan, I will continue to study effective

feedback strategies from my graduate courses and document resources that I can use in

my classroom and instruction.