Training guide

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5. Giving feedback

When you give learners feedback, you tell them how they have performed in relation to a stated goal or expected outcome. Good feedback from their teacher has a positive tone and tells the learner:

  • what they can do
  • what they cannot do yet
  • how they can improve.

It is important to give clear feedback that is:

  • focused on the task being undertaken and the learning that the learner needs to do
  • clear and honest, telling the learner and praising what is good about their learning as well as what requires improvement
  • practical, telling the learner to do something that they are able to do
  • given in a language that the learner can understand
  • encouraging, so you build their confidence and self-esteem
  • positive, with clear guidance.


Using praise and positive language

When we are praised and encouraged, we generally feel a great deal better than when we are criticised or corrected. Remember that praise must be specific and targeted on the work done rather than about the learner themselves, otherwise it will not help the learner progress. ‘Well done’ is non-specific. Read the following examples of feedback.


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Using prompting as well as correction

If you give learners a hint or ask them a further question, you can help them to think more deeply and encourage them to find answers and take responsibility for their own learning (remember the work you did on questioning). For example, you can encourage a better answer or prompt a different angle on a problem by saying things such as:


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