At the beginning of the course, explain the purpose of the portfolio to students. Show them how to organize their work and provide guidelines on what should be included (writing samples, recordings, reflections, etc.).
(e.g., for writing, is it about grammar accuracy or the ability to organize ideas? For speaking, is it fluency or pronunciation?). Share these criteria with students so they know what they are aiming for.
steps for using portfolios in elt
Turn the card over and guess each of the steps for using a portfolio in ELT.
Throughout the course, have students submit regular samples of their work for the portfolio. Encourage them to select examples that demonstrate improvement or their best work. Include a variety of language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
After submitting their work, have students write brief reflections about what they learned from the task, the difficulties they faced, and how they plan to improve. This promotes deeper learning.
Set periodic times throughout the course for students to review their portfolios. During these sessions, students can track their progress, reflect on their learning, and set new goals for themselves. This can be done as a one-on-one meeting with the teacher or in small groups.
After reviewing the portfolio, give detailed feedback on students’ progress. Highlight improvements and areas for further work. Help students set realistic, specific goals for future learning, based on their portfolio work.
steps for using portfolios in elt
Turn the card over and guess each of the steps for using a portfolio in ELT
At the end of the course or unit, ask students to submit a final version of their portfolio. This should include their best work, reflections on their learning, and any self-assessment. Use this final portfolio as the basis for a comprehensive evaluation of their progress.
If appropriate, consider using digital platforms like Google Docs, blogs, or portfolio software to store and showcase the work. This makes it easier for students to organize their work and for teachers to provide timely feedback.