Why, How & When to Error Correct your Students

Correct errors so students will actually learn from their mistakes.

First of all, don’t worry if your students keep making errors. It shows that they’re learning (however slowly), and trying things out with the language. All of which puts them on the road to success.

It’s your job, however, to make sure that the errors don’t ‘fossilize’ or get stuck into place.

Ideally, you’ll highlight that an error has been made, and let the student recover themselves. This increases the chance they won’t make the same error again. Fingers crossed.

Let’s have a look at the factors that make up good error correction.

Accuracy vs. Fluency

Just like a battle between good and evil, there’s an ongoing struggle between accuracy and fluency in the language classroom.

You’ve most likely noticed it yourself-you're in the middle of an activity, and a shy student keeps making a mistake. Do you correct them now and de-rail the conversation they’re having? And also dent their confidence in front of the whole class? Or wait til later, when it won’t be as effective?

While there are no hard and fast rules, there are some guidelines.