A touch of... class!

Error correction

Maria Mantello

After reading Mantello’s article on error correction, I found myself making some considerations on how I deal with correcting my Ss’ errors in writing. Correcting students’ errors is not an easy task and I agree with her when she mentions how frustrating it is correcting errors and seeing them recur in students writing.

As a teacher, I use both selective and comprehensive error correction. I find the use of coded feedback very helpful with beginner or weaker Ss, mainly because it shows both the location and the nature of the error. As Mantello says “It seems that weaker students, in general, benefit from an error correction technique that makes corrections more explicit”.

With advanced or stronger Ss, I also use the coded feedback technique, and I provided them with models where the target structure can be seen in different context. By doing so, Ss have the opportunity to compare and analyze the language critically.

In conclusion, the way teachers approach error correction might differ, depending on a variety of reasons. It is important though, to reflect on why it is that we correct Ss’ error, and to bear in mind that the only objective in error correction is student learning.