Something keeps bothering me... Is it OK to use mistakes as example of how pupils shouldn �t write? I know it �s not really the way to go according to the books but it seems to me a good thing to do. 

Well, let �s explain this more clearly... I decided to put up �A4 posters � in class every week. I only teach my classes two hours a week and by putting up these posters I confront them with  �good English � all the time (although it �s only one step at the time).  On these posters I write DON �T+the sentence with the mistake (only the mistake in small strikethrough print) and DO+ the correct sentence (the corrected mistake in large print). By doing this I want to improve the use of correct English (And focus a bit of their attention on the mistakes that show up almost every time they write). They like it and I �m happy doing this.

But today one of the teachers told me that it is absolutely wrong to show pupils any mistake even in my (humble) poster... My pupils are probably going to remember the wrong words instead of the correct ones...

 

What do you think? Is it really wrong? Even the way I do it? I �d love to read your opinions!

 

Hugs from Belgium!

 

Kristien

 

sometimes I use students � mistakes as a worksheet - I prepare a worksheet with their sentences. Then, with my help, they try to correct them and then I �ll explain why it is that way and not the way they had written. And if some of them don �t understand I try to create a similar situation and I �ll give them further explanation on the topic. Most of the time I have good results. However, a few students can �t get the point of it.! Not all students are keen on language learning!

In my opinion, I believe it �s importat they know and recognize mistakes. Most important even, it �s the fact they can correct them and understand why it is a mistake. We all learn from mistakes, don �t we? :) Besides, there �s no receipe for teaching, all depends on you and on your students.

 

I suppose it �s a good exercise, better than if you correct their mistakes on a paper without an individual explanation...

 

Good work:) and keep trying new experiences!

Hi,

Well, in my opinion I think it�s a good thing to use this type of exercises. Something important about this is to make the wrong words meaningful or trying to recreate the mistakes that are common in students, mistakes that we as teachers know in advance that the students will make. It also depends on your student �s native language. For example I use this type of activities for common mistakes made by Spanish speakers (I teach in Mexico)

 

best ragards

 

Cesar B.