How I correct English mistakes naturally in conversation lessons

Hello. My name is Duncan Brown and I am an English Facilitator, here are some of my thoughts about learning the English language.

Who I am

In every lesson I teach — whether it’s with a child or an adult, one-to-one or in a group, independently or alongside Masami — one thing stays consistent: my approach.

Over the years, through both learning Japanese and teaching English, I’ve become aware of something about my communication style. I tend to be a measured speaker. Not overly forceful. Not overly dramatic. Simply deliberate.

A gentle touch

Passive voice is often criticised in English. It can sound vague or indirect, and in many situations active voice is clearer and more effective. In the classroom, clarity is essential. Students need strong, accurate models.

However, correction does not always need to be loud to be effective.

Go with the flow

In conversation-based lessons, I often correct through what teachers call “recasting” — repeating the student’s sentence back in its correct form, naturally within the flow of conversation.

For example:

Student: I doesn’t like summer.
Me: Oh, you don’t like summer? I don’t like summer either. It’s too hot. Why don’t you like summer?

The correction is there, but the conversation continues.

This approach keeps the rhythm of speaking intact. It reduces embarrassment. It encourages students to listen carefully and notice the difference for themselves.

A fine balance

Most of the time, they self-correct. And when they don’t, I step in more directly. Clear explanation has its place. So does structured practice.

The key is balance.

Too much interruption can damage confidence. Too little correction can allow mistakes to become habits. The aim is steady progress without losing fluency.

Listening, therefore, becomes central to the lesson. Students aren’t just speaking — they are learning to hear English more accurately. That awareness builds independence over time.