Note-taking aids ESL students by promoting active engagement, reinforcing learning, facilitating language production and writing skills practice, and providing a personalized study resource, thus enhancing comprehension, retention, language acquisition, and self-directed learning.
The Cornell Method for Note-taking is very efficient way to organize information from class, books you read, videos you watch, etc.
You can make any notebook ready to take notes this way by:
Also, practice using abbreviations as you take notes.
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Test-taking can be especially stressful for ESL students as they are navigating a new language. When it comes to testing and evaluation, every test is a test of the student’s language proficiency.
How to ace multiple choice tests - Maclean's Education offers some tips and techniques that can help you succeed at a tricky multiple choice exam.
How to Take Multiple Choice Tests – Minot State Online offers in-test strategies for multiple choice.
Test-Taking Strategies – Common Questions
UNC Multiple Choice Exams – UNC’s Learning Center offers some tips on how to prepare and take mcq’s.
The SQ3R Method is a five-step strategy for effective reading comprehension:
Step 1: Survey (Several minutes) Quickly skim through the reading to preview headings, sub-headings, and introductory and summary sections. Note down main themes or key concepts.
Step 2: Questions (Several Minutes) Convert paragraph headings into questions and write them out to guide your reading.
Step 3: Read (Times Vary) As you read, answer the questions you've formulated and summarize the content in your own words to ensure understanding.
Step 4: Recall (More time should be spent on this step than reading) After reading, recall the main points without referencing any notes or materials.
Step 5: Review (Times Vary) Review your questions, answers, notes, and reading material to assess your recall accuracy. Summarize the entire reading, focusing on key themes and concepts.
10 Reading Comprehension Strategies - Purdue University
Abbreviations - University of Portsmouth - Offers a list of abbreviations for speedy note-taking in lectures.
Active Reading Strategies: Remember and Analyze What You Read - Princeton University offers different active reading strategies so you can find which work best for you.
Dartmouth Academic Skills Center - Offers handouts, videos, and learning links on note-taking.
Misconceptions About Reading - Dartmouth University
Taking Notes - Seton Hill - Five college success tips.
