Error Correction

Grta Ercsey ELT MA Examination

Outline
1. 2.

3. 4.

Introduction What is an error? What is a mistake? Different approaches on correction Conclusion

Introduction
Most people agree that making mistakes is a part of learning. Most people also agree that correction is a part of teaching.

If making mistakes is a part of learning, and correction is a part of teaching, how do the two of them go together?

What is an error?
a linguistic form or combination of forms which in the same context and under similar conditions of production would, in all likelihood, not be produced by the speakers native speakers counterparts
(Lennon 1991)

From the point of view of the hearer/reader, errors, even if they dont affect meaning, are distracting, uncomfortable, may lower respect for the speaker/writer. (Ur 2012)

individual students couldnt correct them even if they were pointed out .
(Edge 1989)

What are errors? We simply dont know any more. Why? Because there is no agreed upon standard by which to measure learners output. For a start, there are so many varieties of native speaker English (both spoken and written) On top of that, many learners are not interested in speaking native speaker English anyway. (Thornbury 2012)

What are then mistakes?

Penny Ur (1991) differentiates:

errors - consistent and based on a mislearned generalization and mistakes - occasional, inconsistent slips.

Jeremy Harmer (2007) differentiates:

slips - mistakes students can correct themselves once theyve been pointed out; errors - mistakes they cant correct themselves and therefore need an explanation; and attempts - when they try to say something but dont know the correct way yet.

Types of errors

overgeneralisation (intraference) L transfer (interference) teaching induced errors

(Bartram&Walton 1991)

Error correction (1)

Henrickson (1978) lists the "five fundamental questions" :

1. Should errors be corrected? 2. If so, when should errors be corrected? 3. Which learner errors should be corrected? 4. How should learner errors be corrected? 5. Who should correct learner errors?

Krashens and Truscotts approach

Second language acquisition research tells us clearly that errors are inevitable, and that they will be plentiful in early stages. Research suggests that correcting errors has only an accidental effect on accuracy, and that many so-called errors are an inevitable stage of language learning, and are extremely resistant to correction. (Krashen 1982;2009; Truscott 2006)

Error correction has the immediate effect of putting the student on the defensive. It encourages a strategy in which the student will try to avoid mistakes, avoid difficult constructions, focus less on meaning and more on form. It may disrupt the entire communicative focus on an exchange (Krashen 1982; 2009)

What were you going to tell me?

On the other hand

if we dont correct errors we may send out a message that accuracy doesnt matter, which may threaten the long-term language development of our learners. (Thornbury 2012)
When you read over the papers, understand that this is the whole class speaking to you. Through their errors they are telling you what they need to be taught. In this way you can respond and give your class exactly what they need. (David Kees)

If making mistakes is a part of learning, and correction is a part of teaching, how do the two of them go together?

Conclusion
Students have to realise teachers have to let students know that errors and mistakes are necessary are acceptable will be dealt with in non-judgemental, supportive and effective way.

Thank you for honourable attention!

References

M. Bartram & R. Walton (1991): Correction. Mistake Management: a Positive Approach for Language Teachers. Language Teaching Publications. United Kingdom. Edge, J. (1989): Mistakes and Correction. London: Longman, 1989. P. Lennon (1991): Error: Some Problems of Definition, Identification, and Distinction. Applied Linguistics 12 (2) 180-196 . P. Hancock (1990): Is That What You Mean? 50 common mistakes and how to correct them. Penguin Books. London. J. Harmer (2007): How to Teach English. Pearson-Longman.London. J. M. Hendrickson (1978): Error Correction in Foreign Language Teaching: Recent Theory, Research, and Practice. The Modern Language Journal Vol. 62/8. 387398 S. D. Krashen (1982): Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. University of Southern California. Internet Edition. Pergamon Press Inc. Medgyes P. (1997): A nyelvtanr. A nyelvtants mdszertana. Corvina Knyvkiad. Budapest. 168-177. S. Thornbury (2012): What are errors and how should we deal with them in our classes? Online: http://itdi.pro/blog/2012/02/13/41/ (Last retrieved: May 29, 2013) J. Truscott (2005): The Continuing problems of Oral Grammar Correcting. IJFLT Vol. 1(2) 17-22. P. Ur (2012) Accuracy and Correcting Mistakes. Online: http://www.cambridge.org/servlet/file/Accuracy+and+correcting+mistakesho.pdf?ITE M_ENT_ID=7143146&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=594 (Last retrieved: May 29, 2013) P. Ur (1991): A Course in Language Teaching: Trainee Book. Cambridge Teacher Training and Development.