Error Correction

[Raymott]

Originally Posted by PROESL

I do believe that explicit and formal instruction must be part of the language learning and teaching experience in order to arrive at the desired result: fluency and accuracy combined

I've met very few working ESL teachers who would disagree with that!.

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by Raymott

I've met very few working ESL teachers who would disagree with that!.

Yes, this is true. I make a point of saying it because it seems, at times, that so much emphasis is placed on "getting them to talk" that this idea - explicit instruction, or what some would call "chalk -n- talk" - seems to be frowned upon sometimes in certain types of programs. I can't stand the term "chalk -n- talk" as applied to ESL because it seems to really refer to teaching and explaining as something "old fashioned". It comes from the idea that too much teacher talk time is not good. Well, of course it's not. One just needs to use common sense and apply good practices. Anyway, I just think, as most reasonable ESL teachers would, that a balanced and practical approach is most important. However, "balanced" could mean something different for each class, or in tutoring for each student.

[vincentgdl]

Yes, I agree completely on correcting students. Try this technique.
When a student makes an error:
Wait (until the student has finished the sentence)
Make a Face (signal the student that there is an error)
Say “again”. (Most of the time the students will correct themselves)

If the student continues with the error, then you correct them by:
Asking trigger questions

Last resource would be teacher modeling.

Always be patient.