Conclusion
Many advanced English learners face the difficult
challenge to become highlyskilled English users despite
fossilized errors,insufficient learning opportunities, and
little contact with proficient English speakers who are
able and willing to provide helpful feedback. A glimmer
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of hope lies in the fact that a little awareness goes a long
way. As students are given opportunities to see common
errors, understand their impact on communication, develop
a more integrated view of English structure and
meaning, and implement techniques for increased selfmonitoring
and attention, they can make considerable
gains in English proficiency.
Teachers of advanced adult ESL learners can begin
by listing frequent, common errors made by their
students. They can then create lessons to help students
notice these errors and understand their possible
negative impacts on communication. Teachers can then
orchestrate relationally-driven encounters between highly
successful English as a second language speakers and
their students to develop the awareness that change is
indeed possible. At this point, students are ready for indepth
learning about connections between language
forms such as grammar, spelling and pronunciation, and
the communication of meaning. Finally, teachers can
lead students in exercises to develop sustained language
awareness resulting in self-correction and improved
accuracy.
Teachers have long lamented that fossilized errors
seem nearly impossible to change. While we can certainly
acknowledge that such change is not easy,
students like Dewi show us that it is possible. Perhaps
the students in your classroom just need a little guidance
through the stages of awareness in order to develop
more accurate speech and to achieve more success in
pursuing their goals and dreams.