Action-Oriented Approach - Version 1
MAIN TOPIC 2 - STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES
Introduction
This main topic provides you with the information about Task-Based Learning and Project-Based Learning, focusing on teaching strategies and techniques. You will also find the examples of lesson plans and worksheets to design learning activities in your classroom in the subtopic “Examples”.
Task-Based Learning is a different way to teach languages. This approach focuses on the outcomes of instruction and the processes of learning (what learners need to do in order to learn). The goal of this Task-Based Learning theory is to allow learners to navigate their own ways to learn. Willis (2003) explained that "tasks" are activities which concerning mainly on communicative purpose. Tasks can be anything that learners can do in order to achieve a goal. The form of the Task-Based Learning gives students a different way of understanding language and also allows evaluation to base on testing referring to a Task-Based criterion. Through this approach, students will learn in a situation which is like in the real world. They will need to use their skills at their current level to practice the oral communication for achieving a goal or doing a specific task.
This learning method also helps bring out the necessity of language education. Moreover, it is suitable for all types of learners at any levels since the learning process is depending on individual learner. However, when choosing this method to teach, the teacher must recognize that it cannot determine how learners will get developed and the teacher cannot choose what learners will be learned.
For Project-Based Learning or PBL, it is a teaching method which students gain knowledge and skills by working for a period of time to investigate and find a way to solve a complex question, problem, or challenge. PBL focuses mainly on teaching students the important knowledge and skills, and then let students build their own competencies which are valuable for their real life; such as critical thinking, problem solving, participation, and creativity skills. Thus, students are motivated and engaged in the process of asking questions, searching and using resources, and developing answers. Through PBL, students will be more active to learn rather than the traditional learning. According to Dewey (1902) and Markham (2011), PBL integrates knowing and doing as the idea of “learning by doing”. It focuses on the student, not the curriculum. The advantage of this learning method is that students learn knowledge and elements of the core curriculum parallel with learning to apply the knowledge gained to solve problems and produce efficient results.
SUB-TOPIC 1: Task-Based Learning
Website
Educ.ualberta.ca: Olenka Bilash - Task-based Language Teaching (TBLT) - January 2011
URL: http://www.educ.ualberta.ca/staff/olenka.bilash/best%20of%20bilash/taskbasedlanguageteaching.html#3
Onestopenglish.com: Jane and Dave Willis - Teaching approaches: task-based learning The website provides an overview of the Task-Based Learning and explains how teachers can use TBL in the classroom. You will also find the Task-Based lessons with PDF worksheets at the bottom of the page.
Slides
IN@Slideshare.net: Robert Dickey - TBLT Lesson Planning - March 01, 2012
This slide presents an overview of a Task-Based Learning approach. It focuses on classroom activity. This will give you some idea of how to apply this teaching method to your class.
URL: http://www.slideshare.net/RobertDickey/tblllesson-planning?related=4
IN@Slideshare.net: Mortdida – Task-Based Instruction Method
This slide gives information on materials that can be used in this method with techniques (types of tasks). It explains task cycle and modes of interaction. It also provides the advantages and the disadvantages of Task-Based Learning.
URL: http://www.slideshare.net/mortdida/task-based-instruction-method
IN@Slideshare.net: David Deubelbeiss – Ellis Task Based Language Teaching - October 07, 2007
This slide presents an overview of a Task-Based Learning approach. It focuses on classroom activity. This will give you some idea of how to apply this teaching method to your class.
URL: http://www.slideshare.net/ddeubel/ellis-task-based-language-teaching-korea-2006
Videos
YouTube.com: BridgeTEFL – Teaching Speaking with Task-Based Learning
In this video, a teacher shows you one of her favorites task-based activities to use with her students. To practice conversation skill, the students are set into group in order to collaborate for completing the assigned task.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QirhNeIwQ0w
PDF/ EBook
Tesol.org: Ali Shehadeh and Christine Coombe – From Theory to Practice in Task-Based Learning
This document explains why many teachers around the world choosing Task-Based Learning for teaching second language. It also gives information on the various perspectives for how Task-Based Learning can facilitate second language learning.
URL: http://www.tesol.org/docs/default-source/books/bk_cp_applicationstask-based_5684.pdf?sfvrsn=4
