Teacher talk - Error correction

In this video, the theme is ways of correcting mistakes. Rachael Roberts, David Petrie, Sylvia Guinan, Lizzie Pinard and David Dodgson give practical tips and strategies we can use to help our learners notice their own mistakes and encourage self-correction. Throughout this video, they provide a number of useful activities that can be used to help students in this area.

Error correction

What activities do you use to help your students notice their mistakes? Why not write some of your favourite activities below in the comments.

Teacher talk is a series of videos featuring some of our TeachingEnglish Associates speaking about important teaching issues.

If this video is not available for viewing in your location, please click here

Comments

Submitted by Caro63 on Thu, 02/05/2026 - 01:50

I use the technique of self-correction and peer correction.

Submitted by Amalaukamaka on Thu, 01/01/2026 - 13:10

I am Amalachukwu Oduko, from Nigeria. In error correction, I use peer and self correction while I give clue to identify yhe error and avoid correcting on the spot.

Submitted by Laralin on Mon, 12/29/2025 - 07:02

I tend to let the students repeat what they said or recheck what they wrote to accomplish the first step of self-correction.

Submitted by Laralin on Mon, 12/29/2025 - 06:43

I used to ask students to repeat what they said or recheck what they wrote to achieve the first step of self-correction.

Submitted by Marielraffa on Tue, 12/16/2025 - 23:54

Allowing learners to correct themselves teachers give them a useful tool for future learning processes.

Submitted by MuhammadRahim on Sat, 12/13/2025 - 16:27

I give the students to correct the mistakes, sometime give them hints or clues to identify the errors

Submitted by MuhammadRahim on Sat, 12/13/2025 - 16:23

I give the students self correct the mistakes, somtimes give them clues to identify the mistakes

Submitted by ThirumagalK on Thu, 11/27/2025 - 17:07

I make my students to self correct by themselves.

Submitted by MDS2309 on Mon, 11/03/2025 - 17:35

It depends on the activity and the time I have available. I tend to correct students on the spot and take notes. Then, I either read or write key points on the board and elicit responses from the class.

Hi Zukhriddin

That's a good point - it's important that if you use echoing you vary your intonation and make it clear to learners that you are prompting them to self-correct. You can even be explicit about this if they don't realise. You can also try reframing what they have said. It's a good idea to try different techniques to see what works best with your particular learners.

Thanks,
Cath

TeachingEnglish team

Submitted by meryannhufancia on Sun, 10/05/2025 - 03:45

Hello! I correct my students when I notice that they boost their confidence in the second language - English. Learning acquisition is more important than correcting learners. Do not correct the students on the spot allow them to process their thoughts or maybe you can use the sandwich strategies.

Submitted by GRACE_A. on Sat, 10/04/2025 - 09:33

Most of my students are able to self correct themselves sometimes personally and at times when prompted. When challenge persist, peers immediately come in to help correct the error.

Submitted by syedasapnafaro… on Wed, 10/11/2023 - 12:12

I am an English teacher in Pakistan and I am very concerned about error correction. I used the technique of self correction, peer correction and repeat and it really works.

Submitted by Irinaglez on Tue, 08/08/2023 - 20:06

Hello everyone!
We must be very careful with error correction. I usually return to peer and self correction, and avoid correcting on the spot.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/20/2019 - 22:30

Hi. I am Guillermo Isaac Villar Mamani. I am from Peru. One of my dreams is teaching the English language because I would like to transmit all the knowledge I have. Greetings from Peru.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/02/2016 - 20:41

Hello, My name is Santiago Antonio Gutierrez Leiva and I am a second Semester Student of the Universidad de El Salvador (San Vicente) and we are learning how planning lesson for 10th grade and from first to eleventh and I would want to know some mistakes when teachers are planning lessons in public and private school.

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight