Module 2: Assignment Prompt
Prompt 3: Error Correction
Analyze the following sentences; each sentence contains a mistake.
Complete the following steps for each example.
1. Describe in detail the mistake you find.
2. Explain the origin of the mistake (e.g. Is it more related to L1 vocabulary/grammar, L1
syntax, L1 pronunciation, false cognate usage or is it some other problem?)
3. Support your explanation in #2 with details.
4. Choose whether you would correct the mistake immediately or wait until after the
exercise .
5. Describe the technique you would use to correct the mistake.
A. (During a vocabulary exercise you hear:) "I have a compromise to meet him at 6:00
this evening"
B. (During a discussion you hear:) "I go ski next weekend"
C. (During a role play you hear:) "Give me one glass of water, waiter!"
D. (During vocabulary practice you hear:) "Mexico City is the greatest city in Mexico with
almost 15 million people"
E. (During a group class activity you hear:) "She leaves in a small house in town."
F. (During a debate you hear:) "He can't play football because of his damaged leg."
A) “I have a compromise to meet him at 6:00”
Correction: “I have an appointment to meet with him at 6:00”
This sentence presents a L1 mistake, which means that the student is confusing a world in
English language (compromise) with another one in his native language, most likely to be
the Spanish “compromiso”. It can also be a false cognate error since both words have similar
structure and pronunciation. Since this is a vocabulary exercise I’ll choose to correct it
immediately by explaining to my student their mistake and its origin.
B) “I go ski next weekend”
Correction: “I’ll go skiing next weekend”
This sentence presents a lapse mistake, which means the learner is simply misspeaking and
forgetting a form they already know. In this case I would take note of the errors and correct
them once the discussion is over. If corrected during the discussion the learner could lose
their confidence and stop their speech. I’d make sure to review the verb + ing form and then
ask the student to try to correct their own sentence.
C) “ Give me one glass of water, waiter”
Correction: “Waiter! Could I please have a glass of water?’
This sentence presents a L1 vocabulary and grammar usage mistake. Since it is a role play
activity I’d write down the error and correct it once they’re done. This sentence could be
corrected in different ways so I’d make sure to let the students come up with their own ideas
after giving them an example. To make sure they understand the error I’d write it on the
board along with its correction and then put emphasis in my voice tone while reading aloud
both sentences so they can tell the difference.
D) “Mexico City is the greatest city in Mexico with almost 15 million people"
Correction: “Mexico City is the largest city in Mexico with almost 15 million people.”
This is another false cognate mistake and since it takes place during a vocabulary practice
I’d point it out immediately.
E) "She leaves in a small house in town."
Correction: “She lives in a small house in town”
This is a false usage of word mistake but it also could be a pronunciation mistake since both
words have similar sounds. I’d correct it right away, first asking my student to repeat
themselves to properly identify the problem, if the pronunciation hasn't change not even in
the slightest way I’d write the words “lives” and “leaves” on the board and explain their
meaning, then ask the student wich one they should use and finally ask them to repeat the
sentence, this time using the appropriate word.
F) "He can't play football because of his damaged leg."
Correction: “He can’t play football because of his injured leg”
This sentence also presents an L1 vocabulary mistake. Since the error takes place in the
middle of debate, I’d wait to correct it. Like in the previous example, I’d write both words on
the board and explain the context in which each one can be used, I could also ask the
students to come up with their own terms.
