Self-Assessment

Self-assessment is a process of self reflection where learners assess their own success in completing a task, usually a skill-using or an assessment task but is a useful tool at any point along the instructional process. It can complement peer-assessment or feedback from the instructor.and can be added to the learners’ portfolio when used as part of a skill-using or assessment task. It is connected to self-directed learning: self-examining the progress made, the learning strategies used (how effective they are), the products of their learning (those completed tasks) and adjusting their learning processes based on that.  

Self-assessment benefits learners in various ways. It helps them gain 
a clear understanding of task criteria and actively take part in their own language learning and progress. Along with needs assessments and goal setting, self-assessment is a tool for learners to reflect on their 
own strengths and areas for improvement. When learners are engaged in their own language learning, it increases their motivation and investment in their own success. Self-assessment also allows learners 
to reflect on how they felt during a task, how useful practising the task was, and whether they want or need more practice.

Instructors play an important role in the self-assessment process. 
As an instructor, you select the task criteria and present the criteria in level-appropriate language. You also select and introduce the tool learners will use to record their self-assessment, such as a checklist or scale. At EAL literacy and Stage I levels, consider using very simple checklists and pictorial representations such as emoticons. At Stage II, you can incorporate free writings in response to prompts. You can also explicitly link self-assessment in the classroom to self-evaluation in Canadian workplaces. The skills and insights gained in the self-assessment process in language learning can provide learners with 
tools and skills for future employment situations, including job search and self-evaluation on the job, as well as further education

On an LMS such as Avenue, self-assessment can be completed in a variety of ways. Self-assessments can be completed as a stand-alone activity using checklists, polls or questionnaires, or they can be added as additional questions on quizzes, assignments and assignment rubrics. 

The process of self-assessment may be new to language learners, particularly at Stage I. Introduce the concept gradually so they become familiar with it. Focus on concrete aspects of the task that are easy to identify like was the task easy or difficult or did they remember to include polite requests and so on. Provide other opportunities for learners to practice self-assessment, such as with skill-building activities, so the self-assessment process becomes routine.