Communication and correction in the classroom

by Dermot Murphy

In this article Dermot Murphy considers the correction of two kinds of error: errors of accuracy and errors of fluency. He describes the way we use feedback to keep talk going in conversation, contrasting this with what often happens in language classrooms. Next he describes the functions of feedback in conversation and exemplifies how it is given, concluding with suggestions to develop feedback on fluency in the classroom, so that learners may develop this aspect of language use. The proposals are based on his personal experience in the classroom.

Taken from ELT Journal Volume 40/2 (April 1986).

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You might be interested to know that the search function on version 2 of the CD-ROM shows that 118 out of the 699 documents included contain the word 'fluency'. These include:

Combining form and meaning by Paul Seedhouse ( 51/4 October 1997)
Tests of oral performance by Glenn Fulcher (41/4 October 1987)
The role of developmental errors in assessing language competence by Mohsen Ghadessy (39/4 October 1985)