Unit 29: Categorising Learner's Mistakes

How do we categorize learners’ mistakes? In order to categorize learners’ mistakes we have to take into account that we have two types which are slips and errors. Therefore, from this unit I learnt that errors are the result of L1 Interference and mistakes are the result of problems in accuracy. Also, I have read that errors are a systematic deviation made by learners who have not yet mastered the rules of the target language. On the other hand, slips are the result of tiredness but it can be corrected by the same student. Regarding this, we have some different kind of mistakes that learners have such as inaccuracy in pronunciation, in grammar, inappropriate style/register, inaccuracy in spelling, lexical and punctuation. But, the teacher has to be careful when correcting mistakes due that the students can lose motivation if he/she corrects every mistake that the students make. Therefore, we have to look for strategies when correcting mistakes. For example in written word, we can use a correction code due that it could help the students to be aware by themselves the mistakes they have made. However, students may also make mistakes in communication. For example, in speaking so we have to look for interactive strategies in order to deal with oral mistakes. As a future teacher, I consider that this unit will be very useful when we have our students and the make mistakes. So, I would like to apply the correction code in order to correct the learners’ mistakes in written work due that it will help my learners to discover by themselves what kind of mistakes they made for example I can use ‘sp’ for spelling. This strategy will help learner autonomy because it raises students’ awareness of the types of mistakes they are making. As a conclusion, this unit had helped me a lot due that I could learn the difference between error and slip

References: 

- UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum,. (2010). a slip, mistake, error, fault and blunder. Retrieved 27 January 2016, from http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/133997-a-slip-mistake-error-fault-and-blunder

- Onestopenglish,. (2016). TKT Tip 08: Module 3 - Categorizing learners' mistakes. Retrieved 27 January 2016, from http://www.onestopenglish.com/tkt-tip-08-module-3-categorizing-learners-mistakes/155983.article