ACCURACY VS. FLUENCY

Definitions of Accuracy and Fluency 10m

• Brainstorming the individual features of both
• How to identify both

Small Group Discussion 15

• How should ESL teachers assess these concepts?
• Of accuracy and fluency which one should we prioritise when assessing students' written work and speaking skills?
• Can one be adept at using English when one (accuracy/fluency) is absent?

Class Discussion 15m

• How to assess accuracy and fluency-students to compare and contrast examples of academic and extremely informal writing and asked to decide what defines "correct" English.
• Debate: House believes that is possible to only teach EITHER accuracy or fluency and achieve an adequate level of spoken English.

PERFECTIONISM-A Class Discussion 10m

• Is there a distinction between native-level English and fluent English?
• If so, does this only apply to certain skill sets? Which?
• Is it realistic to only teach accuracy over fluency?

Teaching Practice

• Students to create two brief intermediate level lesson plans each focusing on accuracy and fluency respectively
• Which one teaches and best reflects the nuances and constantly evolving nature of contemporary English?
• Debate: contemporary English =accurate/fluent English

Final class discussion -10m

• How do the concepts of accuracy and fluency affect how we correct errors made during conversation lessons?
• Two choices: correct by interrupting or after
• My choice is made dependent on time constraints or lack thereof
• Just as much importance in helping students to correct themselves.
• Constant correcting during students' dialogues irritates and demotivates students by making them feel stupid
• Correcting at the end of the dialogue or class is subject to time and attention spans.

Corrections

• Lavezzo and Dunford 1993:62 : "The immediate and constant correction of all errors is not necessarily an effective way of helping course participants improve their English."
• Ergo- maybe lack of correction by teachers ≠ neglect/ laziness of the part of the teacher.
• Make notes unobtrusively.