Task-based learning is advantageous to the student because it is more student-centered, allows for more meaningful communication, and often provides for practical extra-linguistic skill building. Although the teacher may present language in the pre-task, the students are ultimately free to use what grammar constructs and vocabulary they want. This allows them to use all the language they know and are learning, rather than just the 'target language' of the lesson. Furthermore, as the tasks are likely to be familiar to the students (eg: visiting the doctor), students are more likely to be engaged, which may further motivate them in their language learning.
The core of the lesson is , as the name suggests, the task. All parts of the language used are deemphasized during the activity itself, in order to get students to focus on the task. Although there may be several effective frameworks for creating a task-based learning lesson, here is a rather comprehensive one suggested by Jane Willis. Note that each lesson may be broken into several stages with some stages removed or others added as the instructor sees fit.
In Practice: 1 Pre-task, 2 Task, 3 Planning, 4 Report, 5 Analysis, 6 Practice
What do you think? There have been criticisms that task-based learning is not appropriate as the foundation of a class for beginning students. Others claim that students are only exposed to certain forms of language, and are being neglected of others, such as discussion or debate. Teachers may want to keep these in mind when designing a task-based learning lesson plan.
Scenes from a workshop in which English language teachers work together to learn about and design task-based lessons.
"Our goal is to help you learn about project-based learning by doing it. We hope these experiences help you integrate its strategies into your own classroom teaching. "
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Task-based language learning (TBLL), also known as Task-based language teaching (TBLT) or Task-based instruction (TBI) is a method of instruction in the field of language acquisition. It focuses on the use of authentic language, and to students doing meaningful tasks using the target language; for...
Updated on Aug 31, 15
Created on Sep 03, 09
Category: Schools & Education
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