Rubrics That Teach: How to Embed Academic Language into Your Writing Assessment

We’ve all seen writing rubrics that emphasize structure, organization, and clarity. These elements are important. However, for multilingual learners—especially those hovering between intermediate and proficient—rubrics that ignore language use miss a critical opportunity.

If we want students to grow as writers, we need to show them what strong academic writing looks like. That starts with embedding academic vocabulary directly into our rubrics. When done right, a rubric doesn’t just evaluate; it teaches. It becomes a guide that students can use to push their thinking, deepen their language, and reflect on what good writing actually sounds like.

💡 Why Academic Language Deserves Its Own Space in the Rubric

Students don’t magically start using academic language just because we want them to. They need:

• Clear expectations

• Modeled examples

• Repetition across contexts

• Feedback on how they’re doing

  
  

A rubric can provide all of this—if it’s built intentionally. When multilingual learners see academic vocabulary named, expected, and celebrated in the rubric, they begin to use it more confidently and consistently. That’s the foundation for growth—not just in language class, but across content areas.

✅ Use Rubrics to Make Language Expectations Visible

Here’s an example from our ML-Friendly Rubric—designed with real student growth in mind. What makes it powerful is not just the language categories but the student-facing reflection spaces that appear under each skill area.

ML-Friendly Rubric-2.pdf

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🔄 From Scorecard to Growth Tool for Multilingual Learners

When students write with this rubric in mind—and reflect on their language use—they begin to see patterns in their own growth. You’re not just handing back grades; you’re building academic identity and confidence. Rubrics like this one shift assessment from “what’s wrong” to “what’s next.”

💬 Final Thought: If It’s in the Rubric, It’s in the Student’s Mind

The more students see academic vocabulary in their expectations, the more they use it. When multilingual learners start using academic language with confidence, everything else improves—comprehension, writing, participation, and performance. Rubrics can be a tool for that kind of change. If we design them to teach—not just grade.

📚 The Importance of Modeling Academic Language

Modeling academic language is crucial for student success. When teachers demonstrate how to use academic vocabulary in context, students can better understand its application. This can be done through:

• Think-Alouds: Teachers can verbalize their thought processes while writing or analyzing texts. This helps students see how academic language fits into their own writing.

• Peer Review: Encouraging students to review each other's work allows them to see different uses of academic language. They can learn from their peers and apply those lessons to their own writing.

  
  

🌟 Creating a Supportive Environment for Language Learning

A supportive classroom environment is essential for multilingual learners. Here are some strategies to foster such an environment:

• Encourage Risk-Taking: Let students know that making mistakes is part of the learning process. This will help them feel more comfortable using academic language.

• Celebrate Progress: Recognize and celebrate small victories in language use. This can motivate students to continue improving.

  
  

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By embedding academic language into rubrics and creating a supportive learning environment, we can empower multilingual learners to thrive. Let's commit to designing assessments that not only evaluate but also teach and inspire.