Save this article. Bookmark the verification checklist. And the next time you sit down to write 20 report cards, remember: a verified comment is a kind comment. It tells the truth, celebrates real progress, and gives a clear path forward. Download our free one-page "ESL Comment Verifier" checklist at [your website link] or share your own verified comment in the comments section below to help other teachers.
Explicitly say: "In listening (domain) at the Developing level (WIDA)…" sample esl report card comments verified
Do not comment from memory. Look at one piece of work, one recorded oral sample, or one observation note. Write down exactly what the student did. Save this article
Writing report card comments for English as a Second Language (ESL) students is one of the most challenging tasks for educators. Unlike native speakers, ESL students progress at varying rates across listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A generic "good job" isn't just unhelpful—it’s misleading. It tells the truth, celebrates real progress, and
Use numbers: "3 out of 5 times," "using 10 new words," "for 2 minutes without stopping."