¡Buenas noches! I’m Cristina from Miami where I teach #earlylang Spanish & tonight I will be taking risks & co-moderating tonight’s chat with moderator @windycityseñora. The topic is error correction. 😊
Wait, I didn't miss #earlylang chat tonight?! YAY! I teach Spanish 1 grade 8 in Indianapolis, IN. Popping in and out b/c finishing my last research paper of the semester! #gradlife
A1 When a kiddo utters something that is completely incomprenhensibl and communication cannot flow, that would be a time when I would look to helping a kiddo refine what he/she is attempting to say #earlylang
A1 When a kiddo utters something that is completely incomprenhensibl and communication cannot flow, that would be a time when I would look to helping a kiddo refine what he/she is attempting to say #earlylang
A1 tough to say! Personally, I agree with @MaryLotusCN, but if the vertical articulation of WL programming/common assessments are "old school" accuracy, what to do? #earlylang
Tonight's #EarlyLang chat is sponsored by @EMCSCHOOL! Thank you for your generosity and your support of our mission of fostering a network that empowers educators to advocate for and support early language teaching and learning.
A1 My goal is to help kiddos get their meaning across, so if they are able to do that, he/she is on target. Refining and tweaking are part of the process, also, I believe, so especially as kids have more experience, I think it is valuable to help w this #earlylang
A1 With so many kiddos in my #earlylang classes, I can't really focus on individual errors. So error correction for me is more focusing on common patterns of errors.
I think accuracy has it's place, especially as kids advance. And there are some errors that are harder on a native speaker's ears than others, so finding ways to help improve kids skills w those is valuable #earlylang
TODAY my colleague @JuanitaGuerita heard multiple ss mispronounce the same word...so she stopped, corrected it for the group, after noting the pattern. The ss started saying it correctly and could then be understood. #earlylang
A1 With so many kiddos in my #earlylang classes, I can't really focus on individual errors. So error correction for me is more focusing on common patterns of errors.
A1 I also look to when kids are making errors w vocab we've been using for a long time..if a 4th grader is saying estoy hambre instead of tengo (which we've been using since 1st gr) it's time to correct it #earlylang
I have found this works best when I process w a kiddo as to what might be the better or correct answer & guide them to figure it out on their own. If I give general corrections, many kids miss it or don't internalize it. #earlylang
A2 hurt feelings! No matter how positive I am, or how many posters about failure leading to success I post, sts still get discouraged when I correct them privately or with whole class #earlylang
A2 Emotions! They can be such a hurdle to language learning. Ss will absolutely drop a #language if they have negative experiences around it, often as soon as they are able in their particular school system #EarlyLang
A2: we also build a culture that mistakes are okay. It’s part of the learning process. Even our head of school talks w/ this language. She calls them “non-successes.” #earlylang
#earlylang tone and facial expression make all the difference! and a 'you silly goose!' or 'of course our brains arent' computers, they can't get everything right!
A2 Also, when people correct my own errors, I always wonder "are they listening to my message or do they only care about my grammar?" I want my students to know what they say matters. #earlylang
I think part of the key here is the relationships and trust we build w our students. If they know we are on their side, they are far more able to hear a correction from us. #earlylang
A2 Also, when people correct my own errors, I always wonder "are they listening to my message or do they only care about my grammar?" I want my students to know what they say matters. #earlylang
#earlylang we talk about this all the time in my school-mistakes are part of learning. Rather than make it a bad thing, or taboo, we can honor them & integrate them in a positive way into the culture of our classes
A2 #earlylang I’ve had parents who correct their children’s Spanish errors at home tell me that their child doesn’t want to speak in Spanish anymore. They often want to know what to do next.
I agree with this, up until they hit puberty. Puberty is the game-changer. They begin to become self conscience and less willing to take risks. #earlylang
A2 this reminded me of a math teacher who does a "my favorite mistake" as a bellringer each day to honor good thinking, even though answer is wrong. Class talks through mistake to get to the right answer. Application to WL? #earlylang
A3 As I mentioned earlier, processing w a kiddo as to what would be the better option has the most effect in my classes. Restating an answer correctly, on the other hand, has the least unless I specifically point out what I'm pointing out #earlylang
A3 #earlylang One way of feedback: If I get the gist of what they are saying, I affirm with a “¡Sí!” and repeat what they just said in a different way. Sometimes they pick up and repeat.
A3: What do we think of instead of giving direct correction, coming back with more CI that keeps allowing for repeated exposure the vocab, lang chunk we're aiming for? #earlylang
A3: For older Ss, a request for clarification sends the students the message that meaning was not understood therefore, it needs to be reformulated. #earlylang
A3 taken from a SIOP PD, for reading/writing: groups edit 2 versions of a text, underlined phrases (chosen b/c of errors sts making) could be correct or incorrect. #EarlyLang
Definitely, particularly at younger ages. As the teacher, you just need to monitor to see if the errors are switching over to more correct utterances. If they aren't then at some point I think a more direct approach is needed. #earlylang
A3 Is it cheating to figure out which structure the students are getting "wrong" and finding ways to repeat the native-like structure over and over? Correction without being explicit? e.g. getting in lots of reps of "yo TENGO hambre" #EarlyLang
I would add that I have seen many adults spend time overseas in immersion settings where there is tons of input but no correction, & though they can be understood, their grammar is atrocious. #earlylang
I have to dig out the research but I think that this type of correction leads to low rates of uptake; my recollection is that the types of feedback/correction that indicate there is an issue but the Ss corrects herself are the most effective for long term learning
#Earlylang
A3 #earlylang One more way of feedback: I tell the whole class about a time when I made a particular mistake (usually a cultural one à la “Tésis de Nancy” style) and then let them discover and share if they might have done the same or something similar.
I have def. experienced this with my older ss--after more explicit correction where the ss make the change, I notice them self correcting more and using the more accurate form. #earlylang
If you don’t know about Tésis de Nancy: it is a hilarious book in Spanish about a non-native speaker living in Spain who terribly misunderstands so many things! #earlylang
To expand, accuracy is important at higher levels, certainly not novice & intermediate. But no matter what, message is more important. Unless accuracy is affecting the message, the message is what I'd prefer to focus on.
Even online, no one likes a grammar troll. #earlylang
Teacher repeats statement and stops before error
Student: “I have already went to the movies.”
Teacher: “I have already. . .” (and then gesture there's an issue)
#Earlylang
To expand, accuracy is important at higher levels, certainly not novice & intermediate. But no matter what, message is more important. Unless accuracy is affecting the message, the message is what I'd prefer to focus on.
Even online, no one likes a grammar troll. #earlylang
a4: I think teaching at the #EarlyLang level has trained me to be more tolerant of errors that don't impede comprehensibility. As long as I understand what you mean, I'm encouraging
A5 The foundation is a room where kids feel loved & valued; the relationships w kids & the trust you develop fosters an environment where risks can take place because it's safe to do so #earlylang
A4: I really believe social communication is very important when you are learning a language. In my classroom it doesn't matter if you speak incorrectly as long as you keep working and trying #earlylang
We're rounding out the evening on Q5: How do you create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable to take risks in language production?
#earlylang
A5: Steer the focus away from markings and the fear of failing. Have Ss reflect on their learning and language growth. Make them aware of what they already know and the steps to take to move on to the next level. Share with them the process of SLA. #earlylang
A5 Fostering & supporting the idea that errors are a part of the learning process, rather than a bad thing. They help us to learn what to do and what not to do, & guide us forward. #earlylang
A5 #earlylang You have to know your students well- their social emotional growth is just as important as their academic growth. A close classroom community leads to more participation and a willingness to be vulnerable in front of others.
A5: You need to know your students and build relationships. Getting involved in their lives make a big difference, when you show them you care and love them, the trust begins. Going to their games, eating lunch with them,making learning engaged makes a big difference #earlylang
I've come to understand the trust piece is the biggest slice of the pie. So many kids come to school having untrustworthy adults in their lives outside of school; they don't know how to trust an adult, or whether they even should #earlylang
The #EarlyLang chat is taking a hiatus for the winter break. We'll be back on Jan 17 - the topic will be using technology in the early language classroom. What will you have to say? Join us!
In the meantime, add to our @instagram using #EarlyLanghttps://t.co/yQByKuXEGe
