Education is full of acronyms—from ELL (English Language Learner) to ESL (English as a Second Language) to MLL (Multilingual Learner). Sometimes it feels like alphabet soup! While the acronyms and terminology will continue to change, the challenge will stay the same: how do we clearly and fairly assess students who are still learning English? In the art classroom, where creativity transcends words, assessment doesn’t have to be text-heavy. Instead of long rubrics packed with academic jargon, tap into emojis, the language that every student already knows.
Discover an innovative and fun way to write rubrics for students who have varying levels of English or reading comprehension.
Why do visuals matter for multilingual learners?
Multilingual learners enter our classrooms with a wide range of language experiences. Some may be brand new to English, while others are nearly fluent but are still refining academic vocabulary. To better support them, it’s helpful to understand the progression of English language development. Educators generally recognize WIDA’s English Language Development (ELD), which is a framework that includes five levels of English proficiency.
The five levels of English proficiency are:
- Entering
Students know little or no English and rely almost entirely on visuals, gestures, and modeling. - Emerging
These artists are beginning to use simple words or phrases, but still need significant support. - Developing
They’re able to use basic sentences and vocabulary; however, their comprehension is stronger than their output. - Expanding
Students’ academic language is still developing, but they are engaging in more complex conversations and writing. - Bridging
They are nearly fluent and are functioning independently, but may still struggle with specialized academic terms.
Visuals play a critical role at every stage. They lower language barriers, reduce stress, and give students a clear sense of what’s expected. For those at the Entering or Emerging stages, visuals are often the difference between confusion and confidence. Even Bridging students, who are nearly fluent, benefit from visuals to double-check their understanding.
For more ways to approach your art room with an inclusive lens, dig into PRO Learning. PRO is inspiring professional growth through on-demand videos, dynamic resources, and impactful instructional strategies. Learn more about differentiating instruction specifically for English Language Learners through one of many Packs. Plus, check out the Supporting Grade-Level Art Content Acquisition Resource in PRO for more ways to incorporate visuals in your art room. It also includes other ideas, such as hands-on activities and talking and listening activities.
Don’t miss these two PRO Packs for a deeper dive into supporting multilingual learners:
What’s the next universal language?
Long before written alphabets, humans recorded stories through cave paintings, passed on meaning with hieroglyphics, and communicated across cultures using symbols and images. Emojis are simply the modern extension of this ancient practice because they’re familiar, immediate, and universally understood. Approximately 92% of people online use emojis daily, and we’ve even created a holiday to celebrate these symbols! Emojis go beyond conveying basic items and can communicate abstract ideas or emotions. Playing with various combinations of emojis can also create a surprising depth of communication!
How can I harness the language of emojis to craft clear rubrics?
Dense rubric language for a painting project, like “Demonstrates high craftsmanship of watercolor wash techniques,” can be overwhelming. A brush emoji paired with “neat and clean” quickly communicates the same idea. Many emojis are also color-coded, which makes for even stronger messaging. For example, a green check mark to show that a requirement is met will clearly contrast with a red exclamation mark or red “x” that represents unmet criteria. Condensing language and swapping in images transforms the assessment process from intimidating to accessible for students learning English or building reading and literacy skills.
Just like with text rubrics, it’s important not to overload it. Use the simplest terms, focus on important phrases instead of complete sentences, and add one emoji representation for each section. Limit proficiency categories to two for a quick formative assessment, such as thumbs up and thumbs down; perfect for exit tickets or daily studio checks. Add a third category for a more in-depth assessment, like an art project or artist statement. Try a flexing arm or gold trophy for Exceeds, a check mark for Meets, and a yellow warning sign for Needs Improvement.
All of these tips work in tandem to make the assessment process as clear as possible. This allows you and the students to prioritize the content and concepts over language or literacy comprehension. Like with all assessment best practices, provide your rubrics ahead of time and review them together often.
Go beyond the rubric with emoji extensions!
Emojis are great for interactive and student-centered activities to check for understanding. Use them for daily or weekly check-ins for artwork or just to see how your students are doing. Students can select a thumbs up or thumbs down, or submit the facial expression that best fits their mood. Use emojis to “vote” during critiques to provide informal peer feedback. Most digital platforms already support emoji reactions, so this can be a seamless integration. Pick up some inexpensive mini emoji stickers for a tech-free option, too!
Assessment doesn’t have to be wordy to be meaningful and effective. Sometimes, all you need to do to reach more students is to simplify the process! Consider what content and concepts students need to show, and add a few fun emojis to represent their level of proficiency. It’s a great way to reinforce objectives with the broader class, and it empowers students who are learning English or leveling up their reading comprehension. It’s also a fun way to be inclusive in your instructional strategies and demonstrate the value of visual literacy in action.
Do you incorporate emojis into your art room? If so, how do you do it?
What other tips do you have for assessing multilingual learners?
To chat about assessing MLLs in your classroom with other art teachers, join us in The Art of Ed Community!
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
