BP-BLTM

Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

Task-Based Learning
 BP-BLTM
Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

Why task-based learning?

What is a task?
Six types of tasks
The TBL framework

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 BP-BLTM
Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

Why Task-Based Learning?

Conditions for Language
Learning Use
Exposure Motivation Instruction
to a rich but of the language to listen and in language
comprehensible to do things read the (i.e. chances to
input of real (i.e. exchange language and focus on form
spoken and meanings) to speak and
written write (i.e. to
language in use process and
use the
exposure)
essential desirable

The TBL framework supports these

conditions in a classroom 3

environment.
 BP-BLTM

What is a task?

A task is an activity
"where the target
language is used by the
learner for a
communicative purpose
(goal) in order to
Jane
achieve an outcome." Willis
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 BP-BLT

Types of tasks
1. Listing
brainstorm
ing
fact-findin
g

Outcome:
Completed list or draft
mind map.
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Types of tasks
2. Ordering and sorting
sequenci
ng
ranking
categoris
ing
classifyin
g

Outcome: 6
 BP-BLTM
Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

Types of tasks
3. Comparing
matching
finding
similarities
finding
differences
Outcome:
Could be items appropriately
matched or assembled, or the
identification of similarities and/or 7
differeneces.
 BP-BLTM
Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

Types of tasks
4. Problem solving
analysing real situations
analysing hypothetical
situations reasoning
decision making

Outcome:
Solutions to the problem, which
can then be evaluated.
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Types of tasks
5. Sharing personal
experiences
narratin
g
describi
ng
exploring and
explaining attitudes,
opinions, reactions
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 BP-BLTM
Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

Types of tasks
6. Creative Tasks
brainstorm
ing
fact-findin
g
ordering and
sorting
comparing
problem solving and many
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others
 BP-BLTM

The TBL Framework

Pre-task

Introduction to topic
and task

Task
cycle
Tas Repo
k Planning rt

Language
focus
Analysis Practice
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 BP-BLTM
Best Practice -
Best Language Teaching Methods

The advantages of TBL

Task-based learning has some clear advantages
Unlike a PPP approach, the students are free of
language control. In all three stages they must use all
their language resources rather than just practising one
pre-selected item.
A natural context is developed from the students'
experiences with the language that is personalised and
relevant to them. With PPP it is necessary to create
contexts in which to present the language and
sometimes they can be very unnatural.
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 BP-BLT

The advantages of TBL

Task-based learning has some clear advantages
The students will have a much more varied exposure to
language with TBL. They will be exposed to a whole range of
lexical phrases, collocations and patterns as well as language
forms.
The language explored arises from the students' needs. This
need dictates what will be covered in the lesson rather than a
decision made by the teacher or the coursebook.
It is a strong communicative approach where students spend a
lot of time communicating. PPP lessons seem very
teacher-centred by comparison. Just watch how much time the
students spend communicating during a task-based lesson.
It is enjoyable and motivating.
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