English students, you're not stupid.

Error correction is a controversial topic.

A lot of people have strong emotions about it.

Most English teachers believe that error correction is necessary.

In fact, they think it's vital.

Many students who have been trained by their schools and teachers also believe that they need

to have their speaking errors constantly corrected.

My students, therefore, are a little confused when I tell them,

I will never correct your spoken errors.

Some people get upset when I say this.

Other English teachers get upset. They feel I am committing a sin that I am

committing English education heresy. Some students even get upset. They beg me,

AJ, please correct my speaking errors. I always say no.

Of course, traditional English classes love error correction. When a student speaks the teacher will directly or indirectly focus on their mistakes.

For example, a student stands up in class.

She says, yesterday I had good time I go to store and go shopping.

At this moment the student feels nervous because all of the class and the teacher are listening to her.

But she also feels happy.

She just spoke English. She just communicated

information clearly in English. But her happiness is soon destroyed by the teacher.

If the teacher is nice, he will say,

OK, yesterday you had a good time. You went to the store and went shopping. If the teacher isn't nice, he will say,

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