Have you ever had this experience?

You think you aced an English exam because you studied very hard.

Then, you get your results.

You look down at the comments and the final grade.

Disappointment rushes through your body.

You immediately assume that your ESL instructor is wrong.

You feel furious, sad and powerless – all at the same time.

You reach for your smartphone.

What do you do next?

Your response at this critical moment is very important.

Grade disputes and disagreements are bound to happen between learners and instructors – even in the friendliest of classrooms.

From my perspective, these disagreements are not necessarily a bad thing.

After all, we’re not sheep. Are we?

Everyone has the right to question an assessment and to understand exactly where mistakes were made.

The difference of opinion may not change the final test result, but every student and instructor should be given an opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns freely.

My experience has taught me that differences of opinion can be excellent learning opportunities, if they are approached in a modest way that neither dehumanizes nor disrespects individuals.

How to Handle Yourself as a Student

Although I believe that different lines of reasoning between ESL teachers and learners can be healthy, there are a few practical tips that I have learned through the personal School of Hard Knocks that I’d like to share with you.

#1:  Don’t take criticism personally

I have observed that students become emotionally attached to their opinions, their grades, their test scores and to the corrective feedback given to them by an instructor.

I have no doubt that you’re thinking, “Yeah, sure. Easy for you to say. It’s hard to detach.”

You’re right.  The work that you produce in the classroom is often an extension of yourself. Your work becomes a part of your identity.  And most ESL learners take great pride in their achievements.

Please keep in mind, though, that academic test scores are just a number.  All of the evaluations and corrective feedback are a snapshot of your ability at a particular moment in time.

There are many factors that impact your performance: sleep, anxiety, nutrition – just to name a few.

Every learner has the ability to change their results with additional study and adjustment.

Now, put yourself in the instructor’s shoes.

ESL instructors become frustrated when students react emotionally and ask the instructor to do something that can damage the instructor’s professional reputation.

Instructors cannot simply take their pen and magically change a score of 50%  on a test into an 80%.

An instructor cannot say that a piece of writing is good – if evidence proves that it is far from exemplary.

To do so would be academically unethical.

So, don’t take the instructor’s criticism as a personal attack: the instructor does not hate you because they gave you a score that you didn’t like.

#2:  Keep Mutual Respect Alive

When young adult learners feel like they’ve been treated unfairly, they tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves and post all of their feelings on social media.

#thissucks, #unfairteacher, #hatethisschool – you get the picture.

This behaviour, from my perspective, is inappropriate and does more harm than good.

Skip the social media rants.

A difference of opinion does not give anyone permission to be rude or to damage someone personally or professionally.

It is possible to respectfully disagree with someone’s opinion and still have a cup of coffee with that person after class.

The “big relationship picture between instructors and students” needs to be valued more than the temporary tension that may exist.

What’s the lesson here?  It’s perfectly okay to have a difference of opinion.  It’s not okay to hurt someone with angry or sarcastic remarks.

I hope I’ve given you something to think about today.

Happy Learning!