Learner mistakes

Learner mistakes

• Olga Boltneva
• Marina Belousova

The role of error

• Outcomes:
• distinguishing different types of mistakes: errors vs. slips
• understanding factors in learner errors and reasons underlying different mistakes
• categorising types of mistakes
• discussing some of the issues involved in error correction

• MAKING MISTAKES IS A NATURAL AND POSITIVE
• PART OF LEARNING A SECOND
• LANGUAGE

• Did your teachers put a strong emphasis on correcting mistakes, or did they make you feel that it was acceptable to make mistakes?
• How did this make you feel – in either of these situations?

Slips vs. Errors

• Slips:
• Ss know the correct form, and make the slip due to carelessness, tiredness, distraction, inattentiveness, etc. Ss can usually correct these kinds of mistakes themselves
• Errors:
• Ss make a genuine mistake because don’t actually know the correct form. The error is made due to factors such as trying to produce something which has not been fully learnt or learnt incorrectly, interference from L1, mistaken beliefs about the L2 rules. Ss are not usually able to self-correct errors
• NB! L1 – first language or mother tongue
• L2 – target language or a second or foreign language