THE LANGUAGE DEFICIENT LEARNER

THE ACCURACY ISSUE

PREPARED BY:

A H M A D M U S T A K I M B I N R A M L I [ TA 1 1 6 0 7 2 0 ]
PREPARED FOR:

MISS NUR BAITI BINTI ISMAIL SHAUKI

Accuracy
Definition: System of the language, more

specifically in producing some of the following ideas: o Clear and articulate speaking or writing. o Language free from grammar mistakes. o Words spelled and/or pronounced correctly. o Language appropriate to the situation and/or context.

Teachers Issues
Many teachers less care about the issue of accurate language

production. As long as students speak fairly intelligibly, teachers tend not to correct. Some reasons include: o A lack of ability/confidence with the grammar system of the language. o Fear of over-correction, which may lead to discouragement. o Fear of over-correction, which may hinder smooth speaking. o Students more or less understand the lesson, even if they are not using it correctly at the moment. The teacher generally understands the mistakes made by his students.

Students Issues
Students continue to make and repeat the same

errors with language again and again. Students sound less fluent and capable with the language than in truth they are, which often presents a problem when students use the language in formal conversation. English ability is so visible, it oftentimes easily gets confused with overall job competence.

Society Issues
A native English speaker in the real world outside of

the classroom, with no experience in teaching a foreign language, and who is unaware of the mistakes of particular groups of learners may not understand the student. What had been clear in the classroom for the teacher and other students is suddenly no longer intelligible outside the classroom.

Effects
Students unable to use the language. Students breakdown sentences, translate, and look at

the sentence from different angles to minimize mistakes, all of which results in very slow response times. The language becomes less able to carry out its purpose, namely to effectively communicate ideas and information.

Lessons to Improve Accurate Language Production

Devote the early portions of the lesson to

accuracy Students will first learn a new target structure. Give attention to its near-perfect production takes precedence. The teacher should push for few to no mistakes.

Contd
Use repetition Repetition allows the target structure to become

increasingly automatic. Drills for vocabulary improve recognition and correct pronunciation, conjugation, etc. Students can say the sentences with fewer and fewer mistakes, as well as improving response times.

Contd
Make students aware of the need for accurate

language production It is not true that some students just want to speak in a conversation-based class, believing that the more they say the more capable at English they become. The teacher should explain to students the need for accuracy, and the problems that can and do result from too much to the flow of language (fluency).

Contd
Create a student-centered class Students should take responsibility for their

learning. Peer correction and self-correction are important components in the classroom, as students generate language awareness and are better able to monitor for and minimize mistakes.

Thank you