Correcting ESL Mistakes Without Killing Confidence

🎯 Introduction

Mistakes are a natural part of learning English, but how teachers correct them makes all the difference. Done poorly, correction can discourage students. Done well, it builds accuracy and confidence.

📝 When to Correct

• Speaking activities: Correct only serious or repeated errors. Focus on fluency first.

• Grammar drills or writing: Correct more directly, since accuracy is the goal.

  
  

🎯 How to Correct Gently

1. Recast

Repeat the student’s sentence correctly without pointing out the mistake.

Student: “He go to school.”Teacher: “Yes, he goes to school.”

2. Elicit the Fix

Pause and let the student self-correct with a hint

3. Peer Correction

Encourage classmates to help, building teamwork instead of embarrassment.

4. Delayed Feedback

Note errors during activities, then discuss them at the end to avoid interrupting fluency.

💡 Pro Tip

Always balance correction with praise. Highlight what students did right before addressing mistakes.

📌 Final Thought

Error correction should guide, not discourage. With GoTEFL, you’ll practice constructive feedback techniques, while TEIK gives you the platform to apply them in real ESL classrooms.