So as for the term—error correction, Donald G. MacKay and Laura W. Johnson (2013) mentioned that error correction occurs when someone corrects a self- or other-produced error with or without instructions from an experimenter or prompting from a perceiver. In their research, they linked errors, error detection and error correction with hippocampus (also called as hippocampal region which in charge of memory and learning). So, if something disturbs or influence the normal working in this region (e.g. some unstable factors surrounded), there would be made more difficulties on error corrections as well as error detection. It’s may be the reason why both Chinese and foreign language teachers find it difficult to reduce the amount of error correction in their English teaching. 

Among those different forms of error correction, typically there are three: self error correction, peer error correction and teacher correction (face-to-face error correction). Of these three forms of error correction, the most common in English learning or even in what we so called second language acquisition is self-correction. When learners gradually start to notice their own mistakes and try to find ways to correct them, they become more effectively comprehending and internalizing the language. The next common form of error correction is peer correction. When learners are capable of recognizing and correcting their mistakes collectively, they actually help each other to develop English language skills with less interference of their respective Affective Filters. (Krashen-Terrell, 1983) At last, there is another correction of errors made by the teacher. An effective means, but one that should be last and the least frequently used form of English or other foreign language correction. In cases where the EFL teacher may not be a native or near-native speaker, has grammar or pronunciation problems, heavy accent or speech traits or may otherwise desire to do so, recorded audio or video materials could be used to provide corrective modeling. (B. Kashru, 1983)

What’s more, there is also a term called error correction episodes. Error correction episodes were identified according to the criteria set out by the definition proposed by Ellis et al. (2001). Azizollah Dabaghi Varnosfadrani and Helen Basturkmen(2009) said in their paper that a correction episode is triggered by an error made by the learner and corrected by the researcher. It ends when the interaction returns to the topic of discussion. 

2.2 The current study on error correction

Formative assessment is an activity participated by teachers and students in daily teaching and learning, and it mainly aims to guide students to promote their learning by different forms of feedbacks. Therefore teachers should use effective ways of collecting information and feedbacks in order to timely observe students’ learning process and difficulties, to achieve teaching objectives and collect the basis for adjusting teaching objectives, teaching methods and techniques. (Department of Education, 2011:36) English assignment, as a way of formative assessment, plays an important role in English teaching. In recent years, more and more Chinese and foreign language teachers tend to pay more attention to the error correction in English assignment.

(Compulsory Education English) Curriculum Standards (2011 version) points out that English teaching aims to develop students’ comprehensive language competence by achieving the five curriculum goals: language knowledge, language skills, attitudes to learning, learning strategies and cultural awareness. To achieve these aims, various teaching activities should be designed and done effectively. 

Assignment, also called English assignment, means the school-related tasks assigned by teachers for students to complete by any way after class. It is a way of formative assessment which can provide teachers feedbacks of teaching effect.

    Also, it is wild-spread agreed that revision really plays an important role in learning, including English learning. And as a very necessary part of revision, the significance and necessities of error correction can’t be ignored both in English learning for learners and English teaching for teachers.  初中英语教学中独立完成作业订正和师生面订的对比分析研究(3):http://www.751com.cn/yingyu/lunwen_50707.html