This August, we are thrilled to spotlight Dr Kefyalew Woreta Haile, a senior lecturer at Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia as our member of the month.
Dr. Kefyalew Woreta Haile is a senior lecturer and researcher at Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia, specializing in English Language Teaching (ELT). With over 18 years of teaching experience at various educational levels, he brings deep expertise in language instruction and teacher training. At Wolaita Sodo University, Dr. Kefyalew currently teaches basic language skills to undergraduate students and pedagogical methods to in-service teacher trainers. He also advises, mentors, and coaches MA and PhD students, helping shape the next generation of language educators and researchers.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Kefyalew is actively involved in volunteer and community-based projects focused on building the pedagogical capacity of both school and university teachers. His efforts center on enhancing instructional quality through innovative, evidence-based practices. In addition to his teaching and training roles, Dr. Kefyalew also serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for several reputable international journals and publishers in the field of language education.
A few highlights or key takeaways from my recent webinar
In his recent webinar, Dr. Kefyalew explored how oral feedback can move beyond simple correction to become a powerful tool for reflective learning. He emphasized shifting classroom culture to support deeper student engagement through thoughtful feedback strategies.
Key Takeaways:
- Reframe Feedback: Shift from correction to reflection—help students learn from feedback rather than just receive it.
- Empower Student Voice: Use peer-to-peer feedback sessions guided by the teacher to encourage dialogue and ownership of learning.
- Promote Dialogue: Foster continuous conversations between teachers and students around learning goals and progress.
- Make Feedback Ongoing: Treat oral feedback as a process—not a one-time event—by encouraging students to revisit and reflect on it over time.
This methodology promotes a classroom culture where, as John Dewey (1938) observed, 'The more we cultivate a culture of reflection & growth in our classrooms, the more our students will internalize it in their own learning.'
Tips & Actionable Advice for fellow Educators
To help educators implement these ideas, Dr. Kefyalew offers the following practical strategies:
- Ask, Don’t Tell: Encourage students to think critically by asking questions like: “How could you express that more clearly?”
- Structure Peer Feedback: Provide students with sentence starters such as: “A suggestion I have is…” to promote constructive, respectful peer interaction.
- Follow Up Intentionally: Create a feedback loop by scheduling short check-ins after feedback is given.
- Celebrate Reflection: Praise the process of thinking and improving, rather than just the final answer. This builds intrinsic motivation and long-term learning habits.
Dr. Kefyalew is passionate about professional collaboration and he is always open to connecting with fellow educators, researchers, and practitioners who are committed to improving English Language Teaching through meaningful assessment for learning.