Unit 11 THE ROLE OF ERROR

Unit 11 THE ROLE OF ERROR

  In unit 11, I learnt that mistakes have a very important role in the learning process since they help teachers to measure their pupil`s knowledge. Errors and slips are kinds of mistakes. The first one occurs when learners try to say something beyond their level of knowledge. Moreover, errors cannot be corrected by students because they do not understand what is wrong. Nonetheless, slips occur when learners feel tired, so they cannot focus or concentrate on what they are doing. But, students can correct them once they realize they made a mistake. Interference and developmental errors are two main reasons why pupils make mistakes. Interference occurs when learners’ first language influences on their target language since students use grammatical structures and lexis from their L1 into their L2. Another aspect that affects language learners are developmental errors. Pupils make these mistakes because they are working out and experimenting their L2. So, leaners overgeneralize rules (e.g. regular verb in past tense play-played, irregular go-goed or make-maked), pupils think they have to apply the same rule to regular and irregular verbs, however these errors can disappear without correction as pupils keep learning the language. Personally,   I consider that a teacher can help his/her pupils to get over those errors by applying different tasks. For example, I would provide lots of exposure to the language by using interesting materials such as videos, magazines or songs. Oral activities in which my students can develop fluency would be another activity I would apply in the classroom. I can ask my students to develop oral presentations, or ask them to choose their favorite object and sell it to the class. Of course, all the activities must be based on my students ‘learning styles. Finally, setting situations where students can interact among them would be a great activity to help them to correct mistakes by their own (e.g. role-plays or pair conversations). In conclusion, errors can help learners to succeed in their learning process once they and their teacher find the wright way to correct them.

These pictures show some possible materials or activities you can apply to help your pupils to correct mistakes by themselves.

Use authentic material to provide lots of exposure to the target language.

Make oral presentations, ask your pupils to sell an object can be activities to develop fluency

Role-plays, debates or pair conversations are used to help learners to interact and correct mistakes by themselves.

References for additional information

 ü  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hARIwotJilw. (2014). [DVD].

 ü  Antimoon.com, (2014). The role of mistakes in language learning | Antimoon. [online] Available at: http://www.antimoon.com/how/mistakes-in-learning.htm [Accessed 28 Nov. 2014].

 ü Edutopia, (2014). The Role of Mistakes in the Classroom. [online] Available at: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/benefits-mistakes-classroom-alina-tugend [Accessed 28 Nov. 2014].