Activity 6: Using a chat session transcript to analyze grammar errors

Aim: Help students analyze language errors generated by an online chat

Moodle modules: Chat plus optional use of Wiki and Forum

Extra programs: Optional use of word processor or Audacity

Ease of setup: *

This activity is similar to Chapter 3, Vocabulary Activities, Activity 7. The key difference is that we are reviewing grammar errors rather than vocabulary errors. For the final analysis you might find it useful to add a middle column which uses symbols to indicate what the grammar mistake relates to. For example:

T	tense
WO	word order
Prep	preposition
Sp	spelling
Punc	punctuation

This is what Step 1b of Chapter 3, Vocabulary Activities, Activity 7 might look like when we're analyzing it for grammar errors.

Online chat — correcting your errors INSTRUCTIONS Cover the corrections in the left hand column Look at the words in bold in the dialog Try to correct them Then compare your answer to the corrected version
Error...