All my students write a letter at the end of each term, it is a good activity since they evaluate their work and also give me feedback on how the course is developing and help me evaluate myself too. They are usually very honest! Another one of the activities I use to evaluate their progress is number 3, we make quizzes to review on grammar structures, also number 5, I use videos. Students record themselves and their friends and then we watch the videos together (usually guided activities). Finally, number 6, what one kid does to remember and learn things that have been taught in class might be useful for other classmates. Sharing how students develop is always a wonderful idea. Next year I am definitely going to ask students to start a diary.
What to recommend? Kahoot, of course! To practice the grammar in a funny way. Kids Love it, even the older ones. Also tutorials from Teacher tube and then exercises to practice what they have learnt.
I have never done end-of-course questionnaires, students write feedback letters every term. However, I found a questionnaire online I am going to use next week with my 4ESO students. I have adapted some of the questions. Here it is
1. Did you get on well with your classmates when working or do you think you could have done it better on your own? Did you do it on your own? Is team work useful when learning a Language?
2. How do you plan to continue learning after the course? Any summer activity?
3. Were you given correct information about the course? Look at the syllabus
4. Did you improve your speaking skills? Or is it too difficult in a class of 30 students? What would you do to change that?
5. Were the topics you studied interesting? Student’s book and workbook, news, Facebook newsfeed...Mention the ones you found more interesting or less boring! Why are they so?
6. Was the teacher organized or did she worry about current news and your mood more? Does having a class at 12.30 influence your attention? How would you change that?
7. Did you increase your vocabulary? How do you do it?
8. What would you like more of in your next course? That is, 1st Batxillerat...
9. Was there sufficient grammar work? Would you add more? How?
10. Did the teacher give you sufficient attention? Did you give sufficient attention to your teacher?
For students to do extra practice outside the class, activities like watching movies or series or ‘serious YouTube videos’ (most of them are not) are really important. Student feedback (what they can recommend), Self-evaluation and Tutorials are essential for their learning too.