Categorizing Learners´ mistakes

   

Mistakes could be done by accident (slips) during speaking activities or because learners are not yet mastered in rules (errors). But, why do they do those errors? Because of two reasons: 

- L1 interference: students don´t use the language accurately ( in a correct way)

- The stage of learner´s development: Students don´t use the language in a suitable context (appropriacy)

Those mistakes can be oral or written. Furthermore, there are examples for categorizing learner´s  mistakes:

1. I´m interested of studying medicin. It is an incorrect use of preposition. Innacuracy in grammar.

2. Give me the price of this cloth (ordering in a shopping store). Innappropriate register or style.

3. What do you do. Inaccuracy in punctuation. In this case the use of full stop instead of the question mark.

We as teachers must motivate students in order to practice and improve the language instead of correcting them each time. Thus, it is important to know how and when correct them.

Do not forget that those mistakes are good because they are learning, however, lots of mistakes can destroy communication. Hence, a suggestion is to use good interactive strategies to improve the communication.

Resources:

• Onestopenglish,. (2016). TKT Tip 08: Module 3 - Categorizing learners' mistakes. Retrieved 26 January 2016, from http://www.onestopenglish.com/methodology/teaching-tips/tkt-tips/tkt-tip-08-module-3-categorizing-learners-mistakes/155983.article
• User, S. (2016). Heads Up English | ESL Lessons - How to Correct: Four Ways to Handle Mistakes. Headsupenglish.com. Retrieved 26 January 2016, from http://www.headsupenglish.com/index.php/esl-articles/feedback-and-correction/314-how-to-correct-esl-students%20(Some%20tips%20about%20the%20correct%20way%20to%20help%20students%20to%20avoid%20mistakes)