Report Card Comments & Phrases for ESL Students

Wondering how and what to write for report card comments for ESL students and English language learners?

This list of 210 ready-to-use report card comments covers language growth, speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills for ESL and ELL report cards, and provides examples of both positive feedback for students and suggestions for improvement.

Help make the grading and evaluation process for ESL students easier with this selection of editable, categorized comments.

ESL Report Card Comments on Language Growth

As language learning is a complex and gradual process, it's essential to acknowledge every step of progress along the way. This includes milestones in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as well as the development of grammar and vocabulary. Let's dive into the specific phrases and comments for ESL students at different levels.

Speaking Skills

Speaking Skills Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ is not yet able to express [himself/herself] verbally in the English language.
• While _____________ has demonstrated understanding through other domains, [he/she] still struggles to speak comfortably in front of [his/her] classmates.
• _____________ can produce phrases and sometimes simple sentences when expressing [himself/herself] verbally.
• _____________ is making progress in pronouncing common English words and phrases.
• _____________ shows enthusiasm in oral activities, although struggles with fluency are still evident.
• _____________ is becoming more comfortable with basic English greetings and expressions.
• _____________ needs continued encouragement to participate in speaking activities.
• _____________ is working on expanding [his/her] vocabulary to improve verbal communication.

Speaking Skills Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ can produce simple and some expanded sentences when expressing [himself/herself] verbally.
• _____________ is making progress in using a wider range of vocabulary when speaking.
• _____________ is showing improvement in pronunciation and intonation.
• _____________ is becoming more comfortable in speaking in full sentences during class discussions.
• _____________ is gradually improving in expressing complex ideas verbally.
• _____________ is working on using appropriate transition words for smoother conversation.
• _____________ is showing increased confidence when participating in oral activities.
• _____________ is learning to use context clues to understand and respond to verbal instructions.

Speaking Skills Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ can produce simple, expanded, and some complex sentences when expressing [himself/herself] verbally.
• _____________ has gradually gained confidence while speaking and the pace, rhythm, and flow of [his/her] speech has improved significantly.
• _____________’s knowledge and oral use of [academic/conversational] vocabulary has improved.
• _____________ demonstrates strong command of language nuances during spoken discourse.
• _____________'s ability to articulate thoughts and ideas in English has notably improved.
• _____________ effectively uses idiomatic expressions in verbal communication.
• _____________ shows proficiency in varying tone and pitch to convey meaning while speaking.
• _____________ consistently demonstrates an ability to engage in complex discussions in English.

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Reading Skills

Reading Skills Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ is currently reading and comprehending texts at a grade level.
• _____________ is making progress in recognizing common sight words.
• _____________ is developing an understanding of simple sentence structure in reading materials.
• _____________ is beginning to use pictures and context to help understand texts.
• _____________ is learning to predict what will happen next in a story.
• _____________ is demonstrating an enthusiasm for reading activities.
• _____________ is working on improving reading fluency and expression.
• _____________ is making strides in recognizing and understanding basic vocabulary in texts.

Reading Skills Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ can decode and pronounce [1-2/2-3/3-5] syllable words with [simple/complex] letter patterns while reading.
• While _____________ can comprehend the main ideas in classroom texts, [he/she] sometimes misses the subtext or implicit meaning within a text.
• _____________ is improving in using context clues to understand unfamiliar vocabulary in texts.
• _____________ is developing the ability to summarize the main points of a reading passage in [his/her] own words.
• _____________ is showing progress in making inferences based on information in the text.
• _____________ is beginning to use reading strategies, such as note-taking and re-reading, to enhance comprehension.
• _____________ is steadily improving in recognizing and understanding idioms and culturally specific references in texts.
• _____________ is making progress in reading with a smoother and more natural pace and intonation.

Reading Skills Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ is [usually/often/sometimes/rarely/un] able to comprehend the main idea and key details in classroom texts.
• _____________ is [usually/often/sometimes/rarely/un] able to recognize and interpret figurative and idiomatic language within a text.
• _____________ is [often/sometimes/rarely] demonstrating the ability to critically analyze texts for deeper meanings and themes.
• _____________ shows [consistent/occasional] proficiency in using evidence from the text to support [his/her] interpretations.
• _____________ is [usually/often/sometimes/rarely/un] successful in comparing and contrasting information from different texts.
• _____________ is [often/sometimes/rarely] able to identify the author's purpose and perspective in a variety of texts.
• _____________ is [usually/often/sometimes/rarely/un] able to recognize and analyze different text structures (cause and effect, problem and solution, etc.).
• _____________ is [usually/often/sometimes/rarely/un] able to make connections between the text and personal experiences or other texts.

Writing Skills

Writing Skills Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ can produce phrases and sometimes simple sentences when writing.
• _____________ can spell familiar, everyday words but misspells most tier 2 and tier 3 grade-level words.
• _____________’s writing contains [multiple/some/few] errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• _____________ is making progress in writing complete sentences.
• _____________ is learning to use punctuation correctly in [his/her] writing.
• _____________ is gradually improving spelling skills with practice.
• _____________ is starting to use a wider vocabulary in [his/her]written work.
• _____________ is working on improving handwriting clarity and legibility.

Writing Skills Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ can produce simple and some expanded sentences when writing.
• _____________ has begun to gradually incorporate more complex vocabulary into [his/her] writing.
• _____________’s writing contains [multiple/some/few] errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• _____________ is showing improvement in organizing [his/her] thoughts into coherent paragraphs.
• _____________ is making progress in using different sentence structures to add variety to [his/her] writing.
• The legibility of _____________'s handwriting is consistently good and enhances readability.
• _____________ has started using transition words to connect ideas and sentences effectively.
• _____________ is beginning to self-correct spelling and grammar errors in [his/her] written work.

Writing Skills Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ can produce simple, expanded, and some complex sentences when writing.
• _____________’s writing contains [multiple/some/few] errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• _____________ is demonstrating a solid grasp of varied sentence structures in [his/her] writing.
• _____________ consistently uses complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions in [his/her] writing.
• _____________ is making strides in using correct and varied punctuation to enhance written communication.
• _____________ can craft clear, concise, and compelling written arguments.
• _____________ effectively employs writing strategies such as brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing.
• _____________ consistently uses a formal tone and style appropriate for academic writing.

Listening Skills

Listening Skills Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ is showing improvement in understanding basic instructions given in English.
• _____________ is developing the ability to follow along simple stories when read aloud.
• _____________ is starting to comprehend simple questions related to daily class activities.
• _____________ is gaining familiarity with common classroom language and instructions.
• _____________ can understand basic greeting phrases and simple expressions.
• _____________ is making progress in recognizing common words and phrases used in the classroom.
• _____________ is working on improving [his/her] listening comprehension of phonetic sounds in English.

Listening Skills Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ is becoming more adept at understanding the main ideas in spoken texts.
• _____________ is improving in discerning the meaning of unfamiliar words from context in spoken language.
• _____________ is making strides in following along more complex stories when read aloud.
• _____________ can generally understand classroom discussions and contribute relevant responses.
• _____________ can follow multi-step verbal instructions more frequently.
• _____________ is demonstrating progress in understanding indirect language and polite requests.
• _____________ is developing a better understanding of spoken English at a natural pace.

Listening Skills Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ can comprehend spoken language including complex grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions.
• _____________ has made significant progress in understanding native speakers' conversations.
• _____________ demonstrates the ability to understand different accents in English.
• _____________ has a strong understanding of spoken English, even with complex vocabulary and rapid speech.
• _____________ shows proficiency in understanding subtle nuances and implied meanings in spoken English.
• _____________ can accurately interpret verbal instructions and respond appropriately.
• _____________ consistently demonstrates strong comprehension of spoken language across a range of topics.

Vocabulary Development

Vocabulary Development Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ is beginning to understand and use basic English vocabulary.
• _____________ is steadily increasing [his/her] vocabulary through classroom activities and homework assignments.
• _____________ is showing progress in using new words in verbal and written communication.
• _____________ is learning to use vocabulary related to daily classroom activities.
• _____________ is gradually improving in recognizing and using common sight words.
• _____________ is taking steps to enhance vocabulary understanding through the use of visual aids and real-world connections.
• _____________ is starting to understand the significance of word order in sentences.
• _____________ needs to continue practicing and expanding [his/her] vocabulary.

Vocabulary Development Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ is making steady progress in incorporating new vocabulary into [his/her] written and verbal communication.
• _____________ is demonstrating an improved ability to understand and use academic vocabulary.
• _____________ is showing an increased understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
• _____________ is starting to use a wider range of vocabulary when speaking and writing.
• _____________ is beginning to understand and use idiomatic expressions.
• _____________ is developing the ability to use context clues to infer the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary.
• _____________ is making gains in understanding and using grade-level vocabulary.
• _____________ needs to continue to expand [his/her] vocabulary through reading and writing activities.

Vocabulary Development Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ consistently uses a wide range of vocabulary in [his/her] written and verbal communication.
• _____________ effectively uses academic and content-specific vocabulary in discussions and written work.
• _____________ demonstrates a strong understanding of word relationships, nuances in word meanings, and figurative language.
• _____________ can infer the meaning of complex vocabulary from context.
• _____________ successfully uses idiomatic expressions and understands [his/her] meaning.
• _____________ has a rich and varied vocabulary, which enhances [his/her] written and verbal communication.
• _____________ can understand and use specialized vocabulary related to different subjects.
• _____________ continues to demonstrate growth in vocabulary knowledge and usage.

Grammar and Syntax

Grammar and Syntax Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ is starting to understand basic English grammar and syntax rules.
• _____________ is showing progress in using correct verb tenses in written and spoken English.
• _____________ is learning how to form simple sentences in English.
• _____________ is developing an understanding of subject-verb agreement in sentences.
• _____________ is becoming more familiar with the use of articles and prepositions.
• _____________ is making strides in using correct word order in sentences.
• _____________ needs to continue practicing the use of common English grammatical structures.
• _____________ is working on understanding and using direct and indirect objects in sentences.

Grammar and Syntax Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ can construct simple and compound sentences with minimal grammatical errors.
• _____________ is improving [his/her] understanding and application of complex English grammar rules.
• _____________ can use a variety of verb tenses correctly in [his/her] written and spoken English.
• _____________ is showing progress in using correct subject-verb agreement consistently.
• _____________ is developing the ability to use complex sentence structures in [his/her] writing and speaking.
• _____________ is making strides in using correct punctuation in [his/her] writing.
• _____________ is learning to use conjunctions and transitions to connect ideas in [his/her] writing.
• _____________ is beginning to self-correct grammatical errors in [his/her] written and spoken English.

Grammar and Syntax Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ has a strong command of English grammar and syntax rules.
• _____________ consistently uses a variety of complex sentence structures in [his/her] writing and speaking.
• _____________ can accurately use all verb tenses in [his/her] written and spoken English.
• _____________ consistently shows correct subject-verb agreement in [his/her] writing and speaking.
• _____________ can identify and correct grammatical errors in [his/her] own and others' written work.
• _____________ effectively uses conjunctions, transitions, and other linking words in [his/her] writing.
• _____________ demonstrates a solid understanding of the use of punctuation in written English.
• _____________ consistently constructs grammatically correct sentences in both written and spoken English.

Participation and Engagement ESL Report Card Comments

Positive Comments:

• _____________ actively participates in class discussions and activities.
• _____________ shows enthusiasm and interest in learning English.
• _____________ consistently engages with classroom activities and contributes valuable insights.
• _____________ is always willing to help peers during group activities.
• _____________ often volunteers to answer questions and share [his/her] ideas.
• _____________ shows excellent engagement during individual and group tasks.
• _____________ is always prepared for class and ready to learn.
• _____________ takes initiative in [his/her] learning and seeks help when needed.
• _____________ consistently shows a positive attitude towards learning English.
• _____________ is always attentive and focused during class.

Needs Improvement Comments:

• _____________ often seems disinterested during class activities and lessons.
• _____________ could participate more actively in class discussions.
• _____________ should work on staying focused during class.
• _____________ would benefit from being more engaged during group activities.
• _____________ needs to show more initiative in [his/her] learning.
• _____________ should try to be more prepared for class.

Classroom Behavior and Work Habits ESL Report Card Comments

Positive Comments:

• _____________ consistently demonstrates respectful and polite behavior in the classroom.
• _____________ is diligent and always completes assignments on time.
• _____________ shows excellent work habits and takes pride in [his/her] work.
• _____________ is always prepared with materials and ready to learn.
• _____________ works well with others in group activities and projects.
• _____________ consistently follows classroom rules and expectations.
• _____________ takes responsibility for [his/her] learning and seeks help when needed.
• _____________ shows excellent organizational skills which aid in [his/her] learning process.
• _____________ stays focused and on-task during class.
• _____________ consistently uses class time productively and efficiently.

Needs Improvement Comments:

• _____________ could work on managing [his/her] time more effectively to complete assignments.
• _____________ should work on maintaining focus during lessons and activities.
• _____________ needs to work on developing respectful listening skills when others are speaking.
• _____________ should work on coming to class prepared with all necessary materials.
• _____________ needs to improve in following classroom rules and expectations.
• _____________ could demonstrate better collaboration skills during group activities.

General Language Growth ESL Report Card Comments

General Language Growth Remarks for ESL Students

• _____________ has achieved different levels of progress within the domains of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. [Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking] is [his/her] strongest area, while [Reading/Writing/Listening/Speaking] is [his/her] biggest area for growth.
• _____________’s commitment to improving [his/her] English language proficiency is evident and commendable.
• Improvement in _____________’s [confidence/work ethic] would translate to an overall improvement of [his/her] language proficiency.
• _____________ would benefit from increased exposure to the English language outside of an academic setting.
• _____________ has shown remarkable progress in grasping the nuances of the English language, which is commendable.
• _____________ has successfully applied learned language skills across different contexts, showing a growing flexibility in language use.
• _____________ could benefit from additional practice in real-world settings to further strengthen language proficiency.
• The dedication shown by _____________ towards learning and mastering English is inspiring and bodes well for future progress.
• _____________'s consistent effort and determination in learning English is commendable and shows promise for significant progress.
• _____________'s enthusiasm and commitment to mastering English is impressive and predicts a successful language learning journey.

General Language Growth Remarks for Beginner ESL Students

• _____________ requires consistent language scaffolds and content modifications to access grade-level material.
• _____________ is showing steady progress in understanding and using basic English vocabulary and grammar.
• _____________ is becoming more comfortable participating in class activities using English.
• _____________ needs additional support in developing reading and writing skills in English.
• _____________ is making strides in recognizing and using common sight words in English.
• _____________ is showing improvement in listening comprehension during English lessons.
• _____________ is showing enthusiasm and interest in learning English, which is commendable.
• _____________ requires more practice in speaking English to improve pronunciation and fluency.

General Language Growth Remarks for Intermediate ESL Students

• _____________ has made [minimal/moderate/significant] progress when it comes to meeting [his/her] language goals.
• _____________ is demonstrating an increased comfort level with the English language, which is enhancing [his/her] classroom participation.
• _____________ is making commendable strides in [his/her] ability to comprehend and use more complex vocabulary and sentence structures.
• _____________ has shown marked improvement in [his/her] speaking and listening skills, which has enriched [his/her] engagement in class discussions.
• _____________'s ability to apply learned language skills across different situations is encouraging and shows a deepening understanding of English.
• _____________ has shown a notable increase in [his/her] confidence in using English, both in written work and verbal communication.
• _____________ is making consistent progress in reading comprehension, which is greatly enhancing [his/her] ability to engage with academic content.
• _____________'s dedication to improving [his/her] English language proficiency continues to be impressive, and this commitment is reflected in [his/her] ongoing progress.

General Language Growth Remarks for Advanced ESL Students

• _____________ requires little to no language scaffolds and content modifications to access grade-level material.
• _____________’s proficiency level in [his/her] native language has [constrained/aided] [his/her] progress in English.
• _____________ has demonstrated impressive mastery in English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
• _____________'s advanced skills in English reading, writing, speaking, and listening have greatly enhanced [his/her] academic performance.
• _____________ confidently uses English in a variety of contexts, showing a deep understanding of cultural nuances.
• _____________'s ability to articulate complex thoughts and ideas in English is commendable.
• _____________ consistently demonstrates excellent proficiency in English, equivalent to that of a native speaker.
• _____________'s superior command of English has positively impacted [his/ her] overall academic achievement.