By Carlos Gontow*
Everybody makes mistakes. Mistakes are normal, especially when we are learning something new. Then why do mistakes have such a bad connotation in our culture?
We learn by making mistakes. We make a mistake, we try to correct it, we make a mistake again, and eventually we learn. And then we go on making different mistakes. However, most people can’t deal with their own mistakes. They feel frustrated and waste a lot of time thinking about their failure, instead of thinking about what they can learn from their experience.
Many people worry about what others will think about them if they make a mistake. They try to hide the mistake. However, you can’t create something new without trying. And trying means making mistakes. You will try something many until times before you reach success. Failing is absolutely normal.
Mistakes are very important. They have the clue as how to act next. So, we should all make more mistakes. We are unfinished human beings. We are always learning and we are always making mistakes – and we will never stop making them. It doesn’t matter how much you know, there’s always something new to learn. And learning means making more mistakes. And even after you’ve learned something well, you might still makes mistakes. You might forget, you might get confused. That is normal.
If you want to learn more and more efficiently, you have to change your attitude towards mistakes. You have to admit your mistakes and feel happy about them, for they’re a sign that you are trying.
As teachers, it is essential we make our students see that. Many times, students don’t want to speak in class before they are afraid they might make mistakes. Tell them that it’s OK to make mistakes. Make them feel comfortable with making mistakes.
When you correct a test or any exercise, tell students that what matters is not just their grades. It’s important that they look at their mistakes and try to understand why they’ve made them. If they understand that and are able to correct themselves, that was a precious experience.
We all make mistakes. Even when we’re speaking our native language. Watch this video where actress Britt Robertson makes a mistake:
Britt Robertson is American and speaks English fluently. But she sometimes makes mistakes, like everone else. If she can, so can you and so can your students.
Here’s one of my favorite songs from “Sesame Street”, “Everybody Makes Mistakes.” Have fun and remember that:
And here’s another great song showing the importance of trying, “Don’t Give Up:”
Carlos Gontow is an English teacher, actor and teacher trainer. He has had about 25 years of experience teaching children, teenagers and adults. He’s involved with teaching English through theater, games and songs. He’s the author of the books “The Classroom is a Stage – 40 Short Plays for English Students” and “101 Dicas Para Você Aprender Inglês Com Sucesso,” both published by DISAL. He’s also the author of the blog “Dicas Para Aprender Inglês”
