Part 2 Background to language learning
Unit 11 The role of error
Errors are not in the art but in the artificers.
-Isaac Newton
Firstly, I learn in this unit that it is important to consider the difference between error and slip. Errors occur
when learners try to say something that is beyond their current level of
knowledge or language processing (working on the language unconsciously
to try to understand and learn it). But, slips are the result of tiredness
worry or other temporary emotions or circumstances, because students are not
concentrating on what they are saying or writing. After that, the two main
reasons why second language learners make errors is the influence from the
learner`s first language on the second language. In addition, some
factor to consider: interference, developmental error (for example a student
that doesn`t completes his/ her levels in English, such as advance grammatical structures
or idioms), mislearning, fossilization (when errors do not disappear, but get fossilized).
A great example is when adults are able to communicate as much as they need to
in the foreign language and so have no communicative reason to improve their
language, so the lack of exposure to the L2 fossilised errors.
Secondly, I believe that the natures of typical mistakes are factors like age, learning styles, levels
and backgrounds. Also, the categories of mistakes are: grammar, register,
lexis, pronunciation, misunderstanding what they hear and spelling. It is also
important that teachers do something to avoid and improve errors in the class. For
example: teachers can praise their students if they can improve self-confidence
and motivation. Teachers also can improve students to correct themselves, it
means with a little prompting from the teacher, a good habit for them,
they can do less dependent.
Finally, For my personal point of view, the developmental error is common to all learners. For example, when students
use the past tense instead of present perfect tense, or when students make a mistakes
with the past verbs forms.
Key words: errors, processing, slips, first
language, second language, fossilized, prompting, developmental error.
Lucas, Ashley. ( 2009, May 10 )The role of
error Outcomes. Retrieved from
Martinez, Jenny (2014, June 7) The TKT Teaching
Knowledge Test Course. Retrieved from
Great job Gaby !!
ResponderBorrarWhat you have wrote is essential for teachers and learners because to make error is a positive point in the classroom and teachers should not correct students because it can affect in their learning process.
Good reflect!
ResponderBorrarThis reflection shows essential information we had learned in this unit, the terms you underlined are very important like fossilized, slips, errors etc. In addition your links will be useful to learn about this topic.
I found it useful because you mention the most common mistakes on learners from L2 (fossilization), and also a clear definition about slips and errors, Now my concepts about each of them is clear.
ResponderBorrarGabi, you have done a very interesting reflection on what has to do with the differences among learning the first language and a second language which I consider it really important to know, especially we as future teacher because the way a student learns a language may be completely different from others!
ResponderBorrarGood advices Gaby mainly to build self-confidence in Students, for them to be also clear of their own mistakes or errors to avoid frustration and demotivation. I like it because as future teacher it is the main factor to have a good flow in classes and don't be stuck.
ResponderBorrar