BYU English Language Center
I wish she gave us more TOEFL practice
Response
This was valuable feedback because many students viewed Academic Reading not only as a language course but also as preparation for the TOEFL. In subsequent semesters, I asked my students what they would like to have me include in the lessons and majority of the class voted for TOEFL. I, then , incorporated more TOEFL-style reading passages and questions into my instruction. Rather than introducing TOEFL materials immediately, I first focused on helping students build confidence with texts that matched their proficiency level. As the semester progressed and students became more comfortable applying reading strategies, I gradually introduced longer and more academically demanding TOEFL-style passages. This scaffolded approach allowed students to strengthen both their reading skills and their familiarity with standardized test formats without becoming overwhelmed.
I wish we had more homework.
Response
After receiving this feedback, I increased the amount of homework I assigned while remaining mindful of students' overall workload. Instead of deciding the workload on my own, I regularly asked students how much homework they felt they could realistically complete alongside their other classes. Their input helped me establish a balanced workload that provided meaningful additional practice without becoming burdensome. This collaborative approach also increased students' ownership of their learning and resulted in higher completion rates.
She speaks very fast.
Response
This feedback helped me become more aware of the relationship between my speaking pace and students' language proficiency. While speaking naturally is important, I realized that students at different proficiency levels require different levels of linguistic support. Since then, I have consciously adjusted my pace, provided more processing time after giving instructions, and frequently checked for comprehension before moving on to the next activity. These adjustments have helped create a more accessible learning environment while maintaining an engaging classroom pace.