Individual feedback Glossary

30 The importance of feedback in learning terms

Feedback is information that a learner receives about their language learning and most commonly refers to information about their language production (speaking and writing), although it can also concern reading and listening, study skills, attitudes, effort and so on.

Activity
The situation in which a lot of things are happening or people are moving around
Example: There was a lot of activity in preparation for the Queen's visit.
es: Actividad
Attention
Notice, thought, or interest
Example: Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention, please?
es: Atención
Challenge
Something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person's ability
Example: Finding a solution to this problem is one of the greatest challenges faced by scientists today.
es: Reto
Classroom
A room in a school or college where groups of students are taught
Example: There are also no promotions within the school, so that teachers remain in the classroom throughout their careers.
es: Aula de Clase
Communication
The act of communicating with people
Example: Television is an increasingly important means of communication.
es: Comunicación
Context
The situation within which something exists or happens, and that can help explain it
Example: This small battle is very important in the context of Scottish history.
es: Contexto
Correction
A change made to something in order to correct or improve it, or the action of making such a change
Example: She was disappointed to see her essay returned with a huge number of corrections in red ink.
es: Corrección
Effective
Capable of producing a result
Example: Effective solutions to environmental problems
es: Efectivo
Error
Mistake
Example: He admitted that he'd made an error.
es: Error
Evaluation
The making of a judgment about the amount, number, or value of something; assessment.
Example: "The evaluation of each method"
es: Evaluación
Feedback
Feedback is information that a learner receives about their language learning and most commonly refers to information about their language production (speaking and writing), although it can also concern reading and listening, study skills, attitudes, effort and so on.
Example: “You put so much hard work into getting this client, and it really paid off. Thanks to your focus and determination in going the extra mile and managing all of the complexities of this project, we met our goals.”
es: Retroalimentación
Fluency
The ability to speak or write a foreign language easily and accurately.
Example: "fluency in Spanish is essential"
es: Fluidez
Goal
The end toward which effort is directed
Example: Going to law school has become the most important goal in his life
es: Meta
Guidance
Help and advice about how to do something or about how to deal with problems connected with your work, education, or personal relationships
Example: I've always looked to my father for guidance in these matters.
es: Orientación
Interaction
An occasion when two or more people or things communicate with or react to each other
Example: There's not enough interaction between the management and the workers.
es: Interacción
Knowledge
The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association
Example: He program had been developed without his knowledge
es: Conocimiento
Language
A system of communication consisting of sounds, words, and grammar
Example: She does research into how children acquire language.
es: Lenguaje
Learner
A person who is trying to gain knowledge or skill in something by studying, practicing, or being taught. an adult learner. an advanced learner. learners of English as a second language.
Example: Tom is a slow learner
es: Alumno, aprendiz
Learner autonomy
An individual who understands and takes responsibility for their own learning, is able to reflect upon the process they go through and is aware of actions, strategies and techniques they can use to enhance their learning.
Example: Developing learner autonomy.
es: Estudiante autónomo
Lesson
A period of time in which a person is taught about a subject or how to do something
Example: He gives French lessons.
es: Lección
Planning
The act of deciding how to do something
Example: Events like these take months of careful plannin
es: Planeación
Potential
Possible when the necessary conditions exist
Example: A number of potential buyers have expressed interest in the company.
es: Potencial
Pronunciation
How words are pronounced
Example: English pronunciation is notoriously difficult.
es: Pronunciación
Strategies
A plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim.
Example: Time to develop a coherent economic strategy
es: Estrategias
Task
A piece of work to be done or undertaken.
Example: She used the day to catch up with administrative tasks.
es: Tarea, Actividad, Trabajo a realizar
Task
A piece of work to be done, especially one done regularly, unwillingly, or with difficulty
Example: The government now faces the daunting task of restructuring the entire health service
es: Tarea
Technique
A way of doing an activity that needs skill
Example: We have developed a new technique for detecting errors in the manufacturing process.
es: Técnica
Timing
The time when something happens
Example: The bomb contained a timing device set to make it go off at rush hour.
es: Sincronización, cronometráje
Understanding
Knowledge about a subject, situation, etc. or about how something works
Example: She doesn't have any understanding of politics/human nature/what it takes to be a good manager.
es: Entendimiento
Writing
Something that has been written or printed
Example: She complained that the writing was too small to read.
es: Escritura