Errors in English Language Learning
In ELT, errors are the mistakes students make while learning English. These mistakes could be in grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation. Recognizing and understanding these errors helps teachers correct them and support students in improving their English skills.
Grammar error
Grammar errors occur when grammatical rules are not followed, resulting in incorrect sentence structure, verb forms, or word order.
Examples:
You are doing your homework? Incorrect word order
He don't like to eat vegetables. - Subject-verb agreement error
They was playing soccer in the park yesterday. - Incorrect use of To be
In addressing grammatical errors, it's crucial to focus on sentence structure, which includes word order and grammatical constructs. These elements often differ significantly from those in the learner's native language. The most effective approach, in my experience, involves explaining grammatical rules and providing real-life examples to illustrate their usage. While guiding students to practice constructing sentences according to these rules can be challenging, I prioritize this method because I recognize the importance of establishing solid grammatical foundations in a language that relies on standardization for comprehensive learning and proficiency.
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Lexical error
A lexical error occurs when there is an incorrect choice or usage of words, resulting in ambiguity or semantic inaccuracies in communication.
Examples:
"My friend has Chinese hair." - Incorrect description
"The movie was very scared." - Incorrect adjective usage
"See you in Monday." - Incorrect preposition usage
To tackle lexical errors, I typically explain the nature of the error and offer the correct form or suggest alternative words. Additionally, I incorporate these corrections into examples that offer clearer context, explaining their meanings and usage. I prioritize this approach because I believe it's important to encourage students to utilize the correct terminology in sentences. Doing so not only aids in skill improvement but also enhances their ability to communicate effectively.
Pronunciation error
A pronunciation error occurs when there is incorrect or inaccurate articulation of sounds, syllables, or words, impacting clarity and understanding in spoken language.
Examples:
"He played (play-id) soccer in the park." - Mispronunciation of "played" (/pleɪd/)
Pronouncing "three" as "tree." - Pronunciation error
Mispronunciation of "island," incorrectly pronouncing the letter "s." - Pronunciation error
To effectively address pronunciation errors, I utilize various strategies tailored to the context. For instance, during activities such as role plays in pairs, small group speaking practices, or presentations, I withhold feedback until the activity concludes. During the feedback session, I specifically identify mispronunciations, offer examples for correct pronunciation, and provide tips to improve future performance. I believe it's crucial to model accurate pronunciation, engage students in repetition, and reinforce their efforts with positive feedback during practice sessions. In addition to repetition, I incorporate audio and video materials in class to expose students to native pronunciation, providing them with an additional reference beyond my own.
