Let us talk about error correction.

 

 

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I personally believe that correcting errors while speaking a new language is a big no-no.

I have encountered many students asking for their mistakes to be pointed out as much as possible. I have also witnessed many of colleagues follow the same policy thinking it was the only  accurate procedure out there. I will also confess that I, too, fell for this big hoax.

It certainly took me years of experience to finally understand that “error correction” protocol was not only not paying off, but was also a step back in our language development.  Every time an error was to be corrected, students’ motivation took a big hit.

Instead of letting them get more and more loose about speaking and communicating, we help them become even more uneasy, almost ashamed for making those mistakes.

The key to learning how to speak more fluently is not in begging for error correction, and not in finding mistakes. Remember “Finding mistakes”? It is a very common exercise that many teachers use to lecture students about correct phrases. In my humble opinion, these kind of activities are used for the soul purpose to confuse students, instead of demonstrating a task that would bring less to no headache to their language learning.

Loss of confidence and motivation can be easily explained in this context. Speaking is a fascinating action that is done using the unconscious side of the brain. It is done too quickly to be controlled. Same goes for listening.  However, once a mistake has been corrected, the conscious side of the brain, starts to get involved, wanting to control what the unconscious side is doing. And that is where the lack of fluency comes from.

The smooth delivery of language can not and should not be controlled. It is a natural process that suffers a lot when controlled. All there is to do is focus on in-put. Listening and reading is key. However, listening comes first. Starting like babies do, hearing the surrounding sounds, getting used to their parents’ voices, then feel free and let the in-put you have out. Because the more you listen, the more natural and native-like your unconscious side of your brain will sculpt the new language you are learning.

Stand back, relax and let your ears lead the way.