What Self-Assessment Means in Online Learning
We are used to thinking about self-assessment only as a way of monitoring our learning progress. This is certainly true, however, especially in online learning, it also involves reflecting on our attitude towards learning.
It may surprise you, but a positive attitude towards language learning will also help you when it comes to monitoring your progress. If you bear in mind our four keywords and are an enthusiastic and active learner, you will find it easier to stay on track in developing the four language skills.
Before we go into the strategies to monitor and self-assess your progress online, let’s remember that:
We learn a language to be able to communicate (in oral and written form)
NOT to strike a pass in a language test or final exam!
In other words, you should concentrate on all four language components (reading, writing, speaking & listening) to be develop/imporve your ability to understand and express yourself in the target language according to the level of proficiency you wish to achieve.
Of course, in many circumstances grades are important. However, having a positive attitude towards language learning will help you to rethink what studying a foreign language means to you, if you are pursuing the right goal (ultimately communication) and if you are taking the correct steps to reach that goal. It will also help you to feel RELAXED and more MOTIVATED in the learning process, two important concepts that we saw in the STREAM approach
But remember: learning, and especially language learning, is a lifelong process. That’s why you should start making your language learning journey as enjoyable, engaging and pleasant as possible and integrate it into your daily routine. As we said in Unit 3, learning the language should become your new hobby and should mainly be a source of happiness rather than stress! 🙂
There will be times when learning a language, especially online, will seem too challenging and stressful, leading to loss of motivation and self-confidence. Many factors can affect affecting your experience, learning and performance. However, without good attitude, consistency and patience language learning is a hard mountain to climb. But it doesn’t need to be like that. And, by completing this module, you now have the competence and the skills to manage your onine language learning effectively. Given the important role that attitude plays in learning, you should consider self-monitoring not only as a way of checking and assessing what you have learned in class or practised outside but also as a personal reflection on your general attitude towards learning.
In the next two lessons we will discuss in more details what we mean by good attitude in relation to online learning and how to monitor your language learning progress.