Navigating Assignment Feedback: A Practical Guide for TEFL Trainees

Receiving your first assignment feedback can feel like a pivotal moment. You open the document, heart pounding a little, only to find a mix of relief and new questions. The assessor has given the green light to your first two tasks but has asked for more work on the third. It’s a common scenario, yet it often leads to a very practical puzzle.

What exactly should you resubmit?

This is the immediate question that pops up. Do you only send back the corrected section, or does the entire assignment package need to go in again? The safest and most standard protocol is to resubmit the entire assignment as a complete, corrected document.

Why a Full Resubmission is Best Practice

• Provides Complete Context: Your assessor needs to see how the improved Task 3 integrates with and supports your work in Tasks 1 and 2. Submitting only one part fragments your argument.
• Shows Professionalism: It demonstrates that you’ve reviewed the entire work in light of the feedback, ensuring consistency throughout.
• Avoids Administrative Confusion: It creates a single, definitive version for grading, preventing any mix-up between old and new files.

Think of it as handing in a final draft. You wouldn’t hand in just the revised conclusion of an essay; you’d submit the whole polished piece.

Turning Feedback into Fuel for Growth

This situation is not a setback; it’s a targeted learning opportunity. Here’s how to leverage that feedback effectively:

1. Decode the Comment “Add more examples” is a golden piece of advice. It usually means your theoretical points are sound but lack concrete illustration. Ask yourself:

• Are my examples specific enough?
• Do they directly prove the point I’m making?
• Have I considered diverse scenarios that a teacher might face?

2. Enhance, Don’t Just Add Don’t just drop in two random examples. Integrate them thoughtfully.

• Introduce the example.
• Describe it clearly.
• Explain exactly how it demonstrates the methodology or principle you’re discussing.

3. Review the Entire Assignment While you’re strengthening Task 3, take a fresh look at Tasks 1 and 2. Can the clarity or depth you’re adding to Task 3 be reflected elsewhere? This holistic review often leads to subtle improvements throughout your work.

Your Action Plan for Resubmission

1. Save a new version of your original document (e.g., “Assignment1_Revised”).
2. Highlight or use a different color text for the major changes in Task 3. This helps the assessor quickly see your revisions. (Check if your program has a specific preference for this).
3. Write a brief cover note or add a comment at the top of the document. Politely state that you have reviewed the feedback and revised the assignment, with particular attention to Task 3.
4. Submit the single, complete file through the designated portal.

Remember, targeted feedback is a sign of a good program. It means your assessor sees solid foundational work and is guiding you to elevate it to a passing standard. They’ve given you a clear map—now you just need to follow it and resubmit the whole journey.

Embrace this step in your TEFL training. It’s not just about passing a module; it’s about building the meticulous, responsive skills that will make you a reflective and effective teacher in classrooms around the world.