I've recently attended a lecture on "Error Gravity". The lecturer made emphasis on the fact that correcting errors (not grading, but simply pointing out the mistake) is the same as "punishing" the students for their mistakes. In fact, the words "punish and punishment" were used several times throughout the lecture. Unfortunately, the lecturer failed to explain which Second Language Acquisition Theory uses these words. Needless to say, the reaction of the teachers that had attended the lecture was not favorable; most were offended by the use of these terms. Has there been any serious research on how correcting errors can affect learners' performace? Has it been proven that correcting mistakes and errors has a negative effect on the acquisition process?
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Nik Peachey
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Heath
"How Languages are Learned" is a fantastically simple and easy to read summary of fairly current research into language learning and acquisition. Lightbown & Spada cover research into first language learning and many aspects of second language learning, and a recurring theme in the book is the role of error correction - so I'd recommend it very highly if you're interested in learning a bit more about research into error correction.
In brief, they point out that if error correction is done appropriately it serves an extremely important learning tool for second language learners. If it is overused, carelessly used, or used at the wrong times then it hinders learning more than helps.
That's a very basic summary - but in the book they are able to back it up with quotes and details from all kinds of research. In fact, after reading "How Languages are Learned" you might find yourself interested in books or papers that they refer too that are more specifically about error correction, and you can get the details of those from the bibliography.
Lightbown, P. & Spada, N. "How Languages are Learned" Oxford University Press (1993)
On a more personal level.
I've been teaching in China for many years and a very rough overview of what I've seen is:
So what does this mean?
Many people demand to be corrected, but others hate it. Teens hate it more. Even people who want to be corrected get annoyed when it happens, but mature people are able to accept it and learn from it despite this. (Note - my observations are entirely based on mainland Chinese, especially those living in and around Beijing. People of other cultures may be completely different).
I guess that just means we, as teachers, need to be very careful in how, when and why we correct errors.
stevelee
as seems to be the case in most aspects of ESL, it's a grey area.
On a personal level, adult ESL students i have worked with have all wished for correction of oral, and written, errors. Teachers i train also wish to be told when they are making mistakes, as they feel thats why theyre on a training course. I suppose for every positive there will be a negative, but it appears to me that correction, especially for accuracy errors such as mispronunciation, is beneficial.
These kinds of arguments are never black and white, but to call error correction punishment seems a little over the top.