The Sandwich Feedback Approach: Tips and Examples
As teachers, writing report card comments can be both rewarding and challenging, especially for ESL educators who need to highlight students’ strengths, address areas for improvement, and clearly communicate progress to parents—all while keeping it concise and constructive. I still remember our early years of teaching (almost 15 years ago—wow, how time flies!) and how difficult it was to find the right words to summarise everything we had in mind about a student in just a small comment box. It felt time-consuming and stressful, but over the years, with experience, we’ve learned a few tricks that we’re excited to share with you!
1. How Do You Write a Good Comment on a Report Card?
Writing a good comment starts with balance. You want to:
- Celebrate the student’s successes.
- Address areas for growth in a constructive way.
- Inspire continued effort and progress.
For ESL teachers, it’s also important to focus on specific language skills like speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the Sandwich Feedback Approach:
- Start with a positive observation.
- Provide constructive feedback on one area of improvement.
- End with an encouraging statement.
Example:
«Anna has demonstrated excellent progress in speaking activities this term, confidently using new vocabulary. To further strengthen her writing, focusing on sentence structure will be beneficial. With her enthusiasm and hard work, Anna is set to achieve great things next term.»
2. How Do You Comment on a Child’s Performance?
When commenting on a student’s performance, focus on both academic achievements and personal growth. Be specific about what the child has improved on, what they’re struggling with, and what they can work on moving forward.
Key Elements to Include:
- Strengths: Highlight what they’re doing well.
- Challenges: Frame areas of improvement positively.
- Effort and Behaviour: Note their attitude, participation, and collaboration.
- Clear Goals: Offer actionable advice for the next steps.
Example:
«Leo has shown steady progress in building his vocabulary and demonstrates growing confidence in class discussions. To improve his grammar usage, regular practice with sentence building would be helpful. His positive attitude and willingness to learn are commendable.»
3. What Are Examples of Teacher Comments?
Here are some examples tailored for different types of ESL students:
High Achievers:
«Sophia consistently performs at a high level in all areas of English. She participates actively in discussions, uses advanced vocabulary, and demonstrates excellent comprehension skills. Continuing to explore more challenging reading materials will further enhance her abilities.»
Students Needing Improvement:
«James is developing his reading and listening skills. While his progress in grammar has been slower, regular practice and targeted exercises will help him gain more confidence in this area.»
Students Excelling in Specific Areas:
«Emily has made remarkable progress in speaking this term, using a wider range of vocabulary and expressing herself with confidence. Focusing more on reading comprehension will help balance her overall skills.»
4. What Are Positive Comments for Weak Students’ Performance?
It’s essential to acknowledge effort and potential, even when a student is struggling.
- Focus on Effort:
«Alex has shown determination in improving his pronunciation and is making gradual progress. With continued practice, he will gain more confidence in speaking.» - Highlight Small Wins:
«Mia has made noticeable improvements in her ability to recognise common vocabulary during listening exercises. Encouraging her to practise daily will help solidify her progress.» - Reassure and Motivate:
«Despite challenges in grammar, Ryan’s consistent participation and curiosity in class demonstrate his potential. With focused support, he is sure to succeed.»
5. How to Save Time Writing Report Card Comments
For busy ESL teachers, writing report cards can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to streamline the process:
1️⃣ Use Templates: Pre-designed templates (like ours!) allow you to easily personalise and save time.
2️⃣ Keep a Bank of Comments: Have a library of ready-made comments for different skill levels and student types.
3️⃣ Follow a Clear Structure:
- Strengths
- Areas for Improvement
- Goals
4️⃣ Collaborate: Share comment ideas with fellow teachers to brainstorm and save time.
Start Your Bank with These Ready-to-Use Comments
Crafting the perfect comment doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To help you get started, here’s a collection of ready-made comments for different types of ESL students. Simply adapt them to suit your needs!
For High Achievers:
«Sophia consistently performs at a high level in all areas of English. She participates actively in discussions, uses advanced vocabulary, and demonstrates excellent comprehension skills. Continuing to explore more challenging reading materials will further enhance her abilities.»
For Students Needing Improvement:
«James is developing his reading and listening skills. While his progress in grammar has been slower, regular practice and targeted exercises will help him gain more confidence in this area.»
For Students with Great Attitudes:
«Sophie’s enthusiasm for learning is contagious. She participates actively in class and supports her peers during group work. Her dedication is commendable.»
For Students Excelling in Specific Areas:
«Emily has made remarkable progress in speaking this term, using a wider range of vocabulary and expressing herself with confidence. Focusing more on reading comprehension will help balance her overall skills.»
For Students Who Are Struggling but Showing Effort:
«Leo has shown determination in improving his pronunciation and is making gradual progress. With continued practice, he will gain more confidence in speaking.»
See more comments here !
Looking for ready to use templates for your report cards? Check these that are totally customisable in Canva!