How to Measure Your Progress as You Attend ESL School

An international student holding books outside of an ESL school

Experiencing an ESL school and learning a new language can be challenging yet rewarding. As you attend the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at GLCT, it’s essential to keep track of your progress to stay motivated and see how far you’ve come.

Here are three unique ways to measure your progress in learning English.

1. Watch Your Communication Skills Closely

One of the most direct ways to measure your progress is by observing improvements in your communication skills. Our ESL program at GLCT focuses on developing your communication in reading, writing, speaking, and listening classes. Pay attention to how much more confident you feel when speaking in class, participating in discussions, or even ordering food at a restaurant.

For instance, think about the first day you attended the program. How did you feel about speaking or understanding English then compared to now? If you notice that you can hold more extended conversations, understand more complex instructions, or write more detailed essays, it’s a clear sign of progress. Every small achievement, such as understanding a joke in English or writing a paragraph without help, indicates improvement. Pay close attention to these and maintain a record of them to reflect on as you complete ESL school.

An international student attending ESL school ordering at a restaurant
Feeling more comfortable communicating in English? You’re making progress in ESL school.

2. Setting and Reaching Personal Goals

Another effective way to measure progress is to set personal goals and monitor your success in achieving them. These goals can be as simple as learning ten new words each week, reading a short story in English, or watching an English movie without subtitles.

The five-level ESL program at our private school allows you to move at a pace that suits you, with each level designed to build on the previous one. As many students do, you can set a goal to finish one level in two months.

Completing each level is a significant milestone, demonstrating that you have mastered the necessary skills to move forward. Celebrate each time you reach a new level, and remember, each small goal achieved is a step closer to fluency.

3. Receiving Feedback From Teachers

At GLCT, our professional teachers are dedicated to helping you succeed. They provide regular feedback on your performance, which is an excellent way to gauge your progress. Pay close attention to their comments and suggestions.

Teachers at GLCT use the curriculum the Ontario Ministry of Education developed, ensuring students learn practical communication skills. If you notice that the feedback is becoming more positive over time, or if your teachers are giving you more complex tasks, it’s a sign that you are improving. Don’t hesitate to ask your teachers for additional feedback or tips on areas where you need more practice.

An international student getting feedback from a teacher at an ESL school
Be sure to seek feedback from your expert teachers at ESL school.

Start Your Path to Success With the Best ESL School

The ESL program at GLCT is designed to help you achieve the standard of English necessary to succeed in high school and university courses. You can effectively measure your progress by tracking your communication skills, setting personal goals, and receiving constructive teacher feedback.

Learning English is a journey that takes time and effort, but each step forward is a victory. Remember that every word learned, every sentence understood, and every conversation held is a testament to your hard work and determination. You’ll see how far you’ve come as you move through the ESL levels and eventually transition into the regular program.

Stay motivated, keep pushing forward, and remember that at GLCT, we are here to support you every step of the way. Your progress is our success, and we are excited to see you achieve your language learning goals.

Are you ready to attend our private high school in Toronto?

Contact the Great Lakes College of Toronto for more information!

Leave a comment