Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning
Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes
Workshop Agenda
June 12, 2019
In this workshop, we will define what a “task” is and pinpoint how tasks differ crucially from activities and exercises in a world language classroom. We will evaluate existing classroom materials and turn them into tasks for different proficiency levels and content areas. There will be ample time for participants to revise materials in order to create tasks for an interactive and proficiency-oriented classroom and share their ideas with each other.
1:00 – 1:10 Introduction and workshop overview
1:10 – 2:00 Part 1: Theory
Task-Based Language Teaching:
• History and hallmarks of TBLT
• Tasks vs. activities and exercises
• Creating tasks that promote proficiency
• Integration of language and content in upper levels (Project Based Learning)
2:00 – 2:30 Part 2: Practice by level
Task creation according to class level (upper/lower level)
2:30 – 2:45 BREAK
2:45 – 3:15 Part 3: Practice by language
Task creation by language section
3:15 – 3:45 Group sharing of best practices
3:45 – 4:00 Debriefing, recap, and workshop evaluation
Materials
References
Dörnyei, Z. (2002). The motivational basis of language learning tasks. In P. Robinson (Ed.), Individual differences and instructed language learning (pp. 137-158). Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Ellis, R. (2003). Task-based language learning and teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ellis, R. (2009). Task-based language teaching: Sorting out the misunderstandings. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 19(3): 221-246.
Gonzalez-Lloret, M., & Ortega, L. (2014). Technology-mediated TBLT. Researching technology and tasks. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Hatip, F. (2005). Task-based language learning. Retrieved from http://www.yde.yildiz.edu.tr.
Hismanoglu, M., & Hismanoglu, S. (2011). Task-based language teaching: What every EFL teacher should do. Procedia Social and Behavioral Science, 15: 46-52.
Kern, R. (2000). Literacy and language teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Leeser, M. J., & White, J. P. (2015). Interactive tasks. The Routledge e-module series on Contemporary Language Teaching. New York, NY: Routledge.
Liskin-Gasparro, J. (1982). ETS oral proficiency manual. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.
Nunan, D. (2004). Task-based language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pica, T., Kanagy, R., & Falodun, J. (2009). Choosing and using communicative tasks for second language instruction. In K. Van den Branden, M. Bygate, M., & J. Norris, (Eds.), Task-based language teaching: A reader (pp. 171-192). Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.
Van den Branden, K. (2006). Introduction: Task-based language teaching in a nutshell. In K. Van den Branden (Ed.), Task-based language education: From theory to practice (pp. 1-16). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Van den Branden, K., Bygate, M., & Norris, J. (2009). Task-based language teaching: Introducing the reader. In K. Van den Branden, M. Bygate, M., & J. Norris, (Eds.), Task-based language teaching: A reader (pp. 1-13). Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.
VanPatten, B. (2017). Tasks should form the backbone of the communicative curriculum. In B. VanPatten, While We’re on the Topic: BVP on Language, Acquisition, and Classroom Practice (pp. 164-198). Alexandria: ACTFL.
Additional online resources
- ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/actfl-proficiency-guidelines-2012 - ACTFL Performance Descriptors
https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/actfl-performance-descriptors-language-learners - NCSSFL/ACTFL Can-Do Statements
https://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/ncssfl-actfl-can-do-statements - History and theory of task-based instruction (Brigham Young University Humanities Learning Resources)
http://hlr.byu.edu/methods/content/task-based.html - Task based language teaching (Move Language Ahead blog)
http://www.mlaworld.com/blog/task-based-language-teaching-the-mla-approach/ - Defining high-quality project-based language learning (Lauren Scheller; NFLRC webinar 2017)
http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/media/docs/2017_PBLL_Symposium_Scheller.pdf - Can-do statements for a basic language program (Bill VanPatten & Walter P. Hopkins; CLEAR Newsletter Fall 2015)
http://clear.msu.edu/fall-2015-can-do-statements-for-a-basic-language-program/ - Are some languages really more difficult to learn? Maybe, maybe not. (Charlene Polio; CLEAR Newsletter Fall 2016)
http://clear.msu.edu/fall-2016-are-some-languages-really-more-difficult-to-learn/ - Project-based language learning: In pursuit of authentic connections (Stephen L. Tschudi & Julio C. Rodriguez; CLEAR Newsletter Fall 2017)
http://clear.msu.edu/fall-2017-project-based-language-learning-in-pursuit-of-authentic-connections/ - Acquisition Classroom Memos by Eric Herman, episode 15 on tasks
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8JqpkCp61R73IXVVwZlq_EGxChrwHnH2 - Episodes 42 and 71 of Tea with BVP on tasks
http://www.teawithbvp.com/#listen-section