Over-correcting
One big challenge when teaching English is knowing when and how to correct student mistakes.
Lots of teachers want their students to speak absolutely perfect English even at early levels. Lots of students can feel frustrated if they make mistakes.
But it's very important to let your students know that it's okay to make mistakes. This is how they learn!
Of course we need to help our students by pointing out their mistakes and explaining how to correct them. But that doesn't mean stopping the student at every mistake!
Make your corrections according to the activity. If you are asking your student for a specific example of some grammar you're explaining, you need to make the correction right away.
But if your students are working on a dialogues activity, for example, let them finish the activity first. Make notes of some of the most important mistakes and then work together with your students after the activity to correct them together.
And always remember to congratulate your students on their hard work! Making mistakes means they are learning new skills, so they should feel proud of their progress.
Lots of teachers want their students to speak absolutely perfect English even at early levels. Lots of students can feel frustrated if they make mistakes.
But it's very important to let your students know that it's okay to make mistakes. This is how they learn!
Of course we need to help our students by pointing out their mistakes and explaining how to correct them. But that doesn't mean stopping the student at every mistake!
Make your corrections according to the activity. If you are asking your student for a specific example of some grammar you're explaining, you need to make the correction right away.
But if your students are working on a dialogues activity, for example, let them finish the activity first. Make notes of some of the most important mistakes and then work together with your students after the activity to correct them together.
And always remember to congratulate your students on their hard work! Making mistakes means they are learning new skills, so they should feel proud of their progress.
