UNIT 11

The role of error

This unit emphasizes a lot on the mistakes we as learners of a foreign language make when learning it. So, I learnt that mistakes play an important and useful part in language learning since it allows learners to measure their knowledge, correct themselves and improve it with the help of the teacher or their classmates. Besides, mistakes are categorized into errors and slips. Regarding to errors, it occurs when the person try to say something by using lexicon or grammar structure that is beyond their level of knowledge or language processing. The reasons why they make errors are because of the influence of their first language on the second language which is called as interference. It means that students use the same intonation in English as if they were saying it in Spanish or they use the same grammatical structures used on their mother tongue (the language the persona has learned from birth). So, I conclude that when learning a foreign language learners need to go little by little otherwise the errors they do will get fossilized. Talking about slips, they are the result of tiredness, nervousness or emotions depending on the situation they are. However, these kinds of mistakes can be corrected by themselves once they realized they have made them, it can be done because the students know the language.

The best way to help students to avoid making mistakes is by motivating them to write or speak as much as they can without making them aware of the mistakes there are so they won’t be worried of making mistakes. After that, it would be good to explain the mistakes and how they can be avoided to reach accuracy. Later on, I can set up speaking activities (interviews, role plays, ect) depending on the students level so students will interact with each other and I will encourage them to give feedback to their classmates. This activity will help students to notice the mistakes they make then they will try to correct themselves. As it is stated above, making errors is the normal process of learning foreign language but to improve it, learners need exposure to lots of interesting language at the right level and this language can be used through interactions.

Here are two links on which you will find more information about mistakes.

D.Gingsburg (2012), Education week teacher Don't Prevent Students' Mistakes, Prepare for Them.

P. Szynalski (2010) How to learn English effectively - tips to avoid making mistakes

http://www.antimoon.com/how/mistakes-how.htm

leticiaNovember 27, 2014 at 4:05 PM
Dear Rosita
Good job
You wrote useful information about this unit I could notice that you really were inspired doing this reflection since it mentions important points that the teachers need to take into account in order to create a friendly environment of learning.
Gabriela CaizaNovember 27, 2014 at 5:01 PM
Rosita,
You have done a good job. It really shows that you have understand very well this topic. In addtion, I agree with your strategy of motivating students to speak and use language as much as they can without realising of their mistakes. That is the motivation all learnes must have.
Daisy Chuquicondor BlogNovember 27, 2014 at 5:16 PM
In my point of view, you reflection about mistakes is good, because as you said mistakes and errors can't be splitted in the learning process. And, we as future teachers should apply positive feedback, encourage instead of correcting learners all time.
Congratulation,
UnknownDecember 7, 2014 at 5:36 PM
Nice job Rosita!
Your suggestion to avoid making mistakes by motivating them to write or speak as much as they can without the worry of making mistakes and without correcting them the whole time is really useful. However, as you mentioned, it would be good to explain the mistakes the did and how they can be avoided with tact.