Just as Remembrance Day reminds us to reflect on the past and grow from it, you or your children can do the same in their language learning studies. Research shows that gentle correction called “RECASTS” helps learners absorb accurate language without fear of making mistakes. When an error such as “He go” is made, and you respond, “Yes, he goes,” you model the right form naturally and encourage, promote and grow confidence.
In the classroom and at home, acknowledging and celebrating mistakes as learning opportunities builds resilience and curiosity. Each correction, like each moment of remembrance, guides us towards better understanding and stronger communication. Teachers and parents can nurture, influence and assure the development of a positive mindset by offering calm, consistent feedback and recognising effort rather than perfection.
Remembering to learn from yesterday’s missteps, whether historical, or in our day to day linguistic learning journey, helps shape brighter more mindful futures for our children.
For more serious reading: Li, S. (2010). The Effectiveness of Corrective Feedback in Second Language Acquisition: A Meta-Analysis
Remembrance Day story for kids: We Remember: Canada’s Story (Veterans Affairs Canada PDF
