Delayed Correction Slot

During a fluency activity, the teacher silently notes down errors in a notebook or on a clipboard. After the activity, selected errors are written on the board (anonymised) and the class works through them together. Accuracy work without fluency-breaking interruption.

Procedure

1. During the activity: Students speak freely (discussion, role-play, task). The teacher circulates and silently notes 6–10 errors verbatim. Don't say anything.
2. After the activity: Put the errors on the board. Attribute none to anyone.
3. Elicitation: Can you find what's wrong? What's a better way? Students discuss in pairs, then volunteer corrections.
4. Correction and explanation: Write the correct form next to each error. Name the rule or pattern.
5. Re-use: Drill the repaired versions briefly; students rerun the task using the corrections.

What to Note

• Errors that matter now: misuse of target language from today's lesson.
• Persistent class-wide errors: ones that keep recurring across students.
• Worth-teaching errors: an accident gives you a free teachable moment.
• Good language: don't only note mistakes. Include 2–3 phrases someone said well — model strong usage back to the class.

Why It Works

• Protects fluency: the activity runs uninterrupted; accuracy work happens in its own slot.
• Depersonalised: errors belong to no one, so face is preserved.
• Self-repair first: learners try to find and fix before the teacher explains.
• Validates good usage: celebrating strong language is as formative as flagging errors.

Variations

• Error auction: Students bid (play money) on the most accurate corrections — see Grammar Auction.
• Find the Pattern: Group errors by type; students name the shared problem.
• Students as noticers: During longer fluency tasks, one student per group has a notebook and runs the slot.

Tips

• Mix correct and near-correct sentences on the board; students can't just assume every line is wrong.
• Keep the slot short — 5–7 minutes, not a full grammar lesson.
• Target 2–3 language points, not every slip. A saturated board teaches nothing.