1. Task-based Language Teaching

[Originally published in  ELT Chat  of  www.Free_esl.com]

According to  Feez, the key assumptions in Task-based Language Teaching are that the focus is on process rather than product. Tasks should aim at communication and meaning. Tasks are used for interacting communicatively and purposefully. Tasks are important to achieve communication in real life and they also have a pedagogical purpose. Tasks should be sequenced according to difficulty. The previous experience of the learner is taken into consideration. Task is a goal that is carried out using language.

Some characteristics of good learning tasks:

• Helps the learners  to:

* share information

*think and talk about language

* work in mixed ability groups

* rehearse communicative skills

* take part in solving a problem

* use more than one macro skill

* manipulate and practice specific features of the language

Some good reference materials

Feez, S. Text-Based Syllabus Design. Sydney: National Centre for English Teaching  and Research. 1998.

Nunan, D. Designing Tasks for the Communicative Classroom. Cambridge:  Cambridge  University Press. 1989.

Willis, J.  A flexible framework for task-based learning. In J. Willis and D. Willis (eds.), 235-256 Challenge and Change in Language Teaching. Oxford:  Heinemann. 52-62. 1996.