It is often used to help students learn new grammar rules or vocabulary words, and typically involves a teacher or instructor providing a model or example for students to follow.
This type of practice is typically more structured and controlled than other types of practice, and may involve the use of drills, exercises, or other activities that focus on specific language elements.
It is often used in combination with other types of language instruction, such as free practice or communicative practice, to help students develop their language skills and become more fluent and accurate speakers of English.
A simple example of controlled practice in teaching English might be a teacher leading a class in a verb tense drill. The teacher might present a series of sentences with verb tenses in the present, past, or future, and have the students repeat the sentences back to the teacher, paying attention to the correct verb tense usage.
This activity would provide controlled practice for the students in using verb tenses correctly, and help them to develop their accuracy and fluency in this area of the language.