When and How to Correct Language Errors in Your ESL Students, Part 1

This is a topic I am always wondering about, and I recently read some of the best advice I've heard on the subject. The following are some of the perspectives offered by Diaz-Rico and Weed in their book The Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Handbook:

• In the early stages of language learning, fluency is more important than accuracy, therefore converse in and model appropriate language.
• Focus on the student's message and provide correction only when meaning is not clear.
• If students are older or have higher English proficiency, they need and will benefit from feedback on recurring errors. 
• Listen for recurring errors and then address them whole class, in small groups, or one-on-one.
• Random errors need not be corrected; focus on recurring errors.