SEL in the classroom

Learning is definitely best developed socially. Thus, what others think about you is relevant and can help you build your own identity. Peer feedback should be included in all classes so that students become more aware of how they see themselves and how others do too. I will mainly discuss the importance of peer feedback with adolescents and its richness.

Being an adolescent implies the construction of yourself. As Marshall and Stern pointed out "they are forming a whole picture in their minds of who they are" (2004); consequently, the formation of that self image can be extraordinarily improved by receiving comments from one’s peers. When we realize that another student believes you are not kind with him or her that feedback can help us change the image we present to our peers.

Apart from helping students build their self image, you can aid the class create their own identity. If we know each other, we can respect opinions, care about others and grow together. Respectful environments can be extremely useful when teaching. Having worked with teenagers, I could see how they bullied and insulted each other. I believe that with the incorporation of emotional learning exercises of peer feedback all these situations could have been somewhat avoided. In addition, establishing trust inside the class will absolutely assist students solve their personal problems. Thus, we will avoid misunderstandings and bad energy within the classroom.

Having peer feedback incorporated in the class can aid students build their own identity. Also, it will help the class be more respectful to each other and be able to solve problems more easily. As a final conclusion, peer feedback can and must be included in our EFL classroom because everybody will be at ease when dealing with problems and developing social interaction.