Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MAKING MISTAKES IS A
NATURAL AND POSITIVE
PART OF LEARNING A
SECOND
LANGUAGE
Did
Slips:
Ss know the correct form, and make the slip due to
carelessness, tiredness, distraction, inattentiveness, etc.
Ss can usually correct these kinds of mistakes
themselves
Errors:
Ss make a genuine mistake because dont actually
know the correct form. The error is made due to factors
such as trying to produce something which has not been
fully learnt or learnt incorrectly, interference from L1,
mistaken beliefs about the L2 rules. Ss are not usually
able to self-correct errors
groups
Levels
Background
Learning styles
..
Mistake categories
Grammar
Register
Lexis
Pronunciation
Misunderstanding
Spelling
.
Mistake categories
Grammar
mixing up tenses
Register- using formal language in informal
context
Lexis confusion over words with similar
meanings
Pronunciation confusing sounds of L1 & L2
Misunderstanding what they hear caused by
difficulties in distinguishing sounds, words, word
boundaries in connected speech
Spelling writing words which have similar
sounds but are spelt differently
Making
assuming a rule applies in all cases and overusing it (How many childs have you got?)
Tiredness Feeling tired (e.g. missing out
words, using simpler forms). Ss can correct
these when prompted
Anxiety Feeling nervous (e.g. disjointed
sentences)
Do
Dont
Dont
Do
Encourage Ss to correct
themselves
Dont
Discourage Ss from
correcting each other
Do
Create a classroom
atmosphere where Ss feel
Do
Do
Correction codes
WW
WO
SP
V
P
X
?
T
Correction codes
WW
WO
SP
V
P
X
?
T
Wrong word
Mistake in word order
Spelling mistake
Verb used wrongly
Wrong punctuation
Extra word
Meaning unclear
Wrong tense
Something missing
Correction codes
PROS
feedback tailored to
individual needs
Ss assume
responsibility
CONS
Ss training is
required
some Ss may find it
not user-friendly
Reflection
How
important is accuracy?
Is it always necessary to correct
learners mistakes?
What effect can correction have on
motivation?
Thank you!