Eror Correction

Eror Correction

1. One of the main dilemmas for teachers giving conversation groups is error correction. It’s always tricky to know when and if to correct students and how to go about it.

2. The danger of over-correcting is that students will lose motivation and you may even destroy the flow of the class or the activity by butting in and correcting every single mistake.

   • Every teacher will have different views on this and different ways of correcting their students and it’s a case of finding out what both you and your students feel comfortable with.

3. Ask the students how they want to be corrected

   • This sounds obvious but it can be easily overlooked. Talk to your students about error correction and to find out from them how they like to be corrected.
     • With large groups you may have to go with the majority, but if you have a small group you can cater for individual needs.

4. Self correction / Peer correction

   • The first port of call when correcting can be the students themselves. Students can often correct themselves when they realise they’ve made a mistake. Sometimes the mistake is simply a ‘slip’ and they are aware of the correct version. Give students a chance, and time, to correct themselves.
     • Students can also correct one another. Peer correction often helps to create a positive class atmosphere as students realise you are not the only source of error correction and they can learn a lot from one another.

5. New mistakes or the same old ones?

   • I always remind students that if they are always making new mistakes it’s okay. New mistakes are usually a sign that they are exploring new uses of language or experimenting with new vocabulary but if they are always repeating the same mistakes it’s not such a good sign! By noting their mistakes students have a record of their progress and can avoid repeating the same mistakes time and time again.
     • Sometimes it’s a good idea to have little tests based on the classic mistakes students make in class. It encourages students to look over their notes and try to learn from them.
       • Being corrected constantly can be a really de-motivating, as every language learner knows. As you are listening out for your students’ errors, make sure you also listen out for really good uses of language and highlight these to the group too

6. Oscar Martínez Pedral

7. Ask the students how they want to be corrected

   • Talk to your students about error correction and to find out from them how they like to be corrected.
     • One way to give students a choice on how much they want to be corrected in a particular class or activity is for them to make a traffic light to put on their desk. A strip of card with three circles (one red, one orange and one green
       • o Red = don’t correct me at all (they may have had a rough day or be tired!)
         • o Orange = correct things which are really important or things I should know.
           • o Green = correct as much as you can, please.

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