EAL/ESL Report Comments: Vocabulary and Grammar, Primary
Vocabulary and grammar covers the words and structures themselves, in speech or writing: everyday and subject vocabulary, word order, tenses, plurals, articles, pronouns and prepositions, connectives and longer sentences, and choosing formal or informal language for the purpose.
Below are 13 sample sentences for Primary (ages 5-11): two strengths and one next step for each of the 4 comment levels (Competent / fluent / Developing competence / Early acquisition / New to English), plus a tip for families. They are a small selection from the 186 vocabulary and grammar sentences in the full pack. Copy one, then add a detail only you know about the student.
Jump to: Competent / fluent · Developing competence · Early acquisition · New to English · Writing tips
Fills in the name and pronouns on this page. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Competent / fluent D
Strengths
- [Name] joins ideas with a wide range of connectives, such as "meanwhile", "however" and "because of this", when writing about the class story.
- [Name] notices word families and uses them to work out new words, for example linking "decide", "decision" and "decisive".
Next step
- A useful next step is to use a word mat of advanced connectives, such as "furthermore" and "despite", to link ideas in longer pieces of writing.
Developing competence C
Strengths
- During phonics and reading, [Name] is noticing word families such as "play", "played" and "playing", and uses the endings in [his/her/their] own sentences.
- [Name] links ideas with "because", "but" and "so", and is now trying longer connectives such as "after that" and "however".
Next step
- [Name] could use a sentence frame with "because" and "so that" to give reasons during carpet time, then try the same sentences without the frame.
Early acquisition B
Strengths
- When lining up and moving around school, [Name] uses position words such as "first", "next to" and "last" correctly.
- [Name] is beginning to use "a" and "the" in short phrases, such as "a cat" and "the door", with a model to follow.
Next step
- Repeating the phrases from a favourite picture book at story time will give [Name] more ready-made sentences to use in class.
New to English A
Strengths
- [Name] matches picture cards to words for classroom objects, such as "chair", "pencil" and "door", with help from an adult.
- Watching and listening closely is a normal and healthy start, and [Name] is taking in many new English words this way before using them.
Next step
- Naming the labels around the classroom with a talk partner each morning will help [Name] add one new English word a day.
Support at home
- Labelling a few objects at home in English and in your home language, such as the door, table and window, helps your child learn everyday words.
How to write vocabulary and grammar comments for Primary (ages 5-11)
- Give examples of words the child now uses, such as classroom objects, colours, story words or science topic words. Families can then practise the same words at home in English and the home language.
- Name one pattern you hear in the child's talk, such as plurals, past tense when sharing news, or 'a' and 'the', and link the next step to a game or sentence frame that repeats it.
- Track connectives as evidence of longer sentences: first 'and', 'but' and 'because', then 'so', 'when' and 'after'. Each new connective is a clear step that families and the child can notice.
Watch out: Avoid vague praise such as 'good vocabulary'. Name the words or structures, such as subject terms or past-tense verbs, so families know exactly what has improved and what to practise next.
Rate each skill separately, since many students understand more than they can say. At stage D, write about precision and range; at C, growing independence with errors still showing; at B, short phrases and visual support; at A, what the student does now and the support that helps. Show the stage through evidence rather than naming it.
What Vocabulary and Grammar covers
In these comments, vocabulary and grammar covers these behaviours:
- builds everyday and subject vocabulary
- uses word order, verb tenses, plurals, articles and prepositions with growing accuracy
- links ideas with connectives and builds longer sentences
- notices language patterns and chooses language to suit the audience and purpose
More EAL/ESL comments
- Listening, Primary (ages 5-11)
- Speaking, Primary (ages 5-11)
- Reading, Primary (ages 5-11)
- Writing, Primary (ages 5-11)
- Vocabulary and Grammar, Secondary (ages 11-18)
- Language-Learning Behaviours, Primary (ages 5-11)
- Opening and closing sentences
- All EAL/ESL skills and grade bands
- For the same report: Subject Report Comments for Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary, Stages 1-9
- Build a comment with the comment picker
How these sentences were made, and what has been checked: About these comments.