A student speaks, and you hear five mistakes. Your first feeling is to fix them all. Do not. Too much feedback stops the talking, and talking is where learning lives.
Praise first, and be specific
Say one true good thing. Not "good job", but what was good.
Your past tense was clear. I understood the story.
Choose one mistake
One mistake per lesson. Choose the one that blocks understanding, or the one you taught this week.
Today: "he go" → "he goes".
Correct by repeating
Do not say "wrong". Say the sentence correctly, and let the student say it again.
Student: He go to school. Teacher: Yes, he goes to school.
Write notes, not red pens
During speaking, write notes quietly. Talk about two or three at the end. Do not stop the flow.
Ask the student
Sometimes the student knows. Ask, "Do you want me to correct you now, or at the end?"
Words to remember
- feedback — information about how you did
- correct — to make something right
- mistake — something done wrongly
- flow — the smooth movement of speaking
Questions & answers
Q: Should I correct every mistake?
No. Correcting everything stops the student from trying. Choose one thing.
Q: What if the student asks for more correction?
Then give more, at the end of the activity. Keep the speaking time safe.
Q: How do I correct writing?
Mark two things: one strength and one thing to change. Ask the student to rewrite one paragraph.
Q: Is it wrong to say "No, that's wrong"?
It is not a crime, but it is a wall. Try "Almost. Listen: ..." instead.
Q: How do I help a very weak student?
Correct less, praise more, and choose the smallest useful step.