2017م - 1444هـ
Error Correction in the ESL Classroom





Some teachers correct every mistake made by their students. Other teachers rarely or never correct their students' mistakes. In Teachers experience, both approaches have serious weaknesses. The first approach makes students nervous and leads to a lack of fluency. The second approach can lead to students who speak but whose English is hard to understand.

It is better to avoid either extreme. ESL teachers should try to find a middle approach. We need to choose the right time to correct and the right time to let students speak freely. Corrections should only be made when students will receive the most benefit. Here are some times when you should correct students: