What is Task-Based Learning (TBL)? - How to make lessons more interesting

Summary

This video by Andrea explores Task-Based Learning (TBL), a teaching approach where students engage in real-life tasks to learn language. It outlines stages of TBL, including pre-task preparation, task performance, and post-task evaluation, emphasizing clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and holistic language use. Tips are provided for effective TBL implementation.

Takeaways

• 📚 Task-Based Learning (TBL) involves completing meaningful tasks that resemble real-life situations.
• 🎬 Examples of tasks include creating a marketing campaign, making a YouTube video, or writing a film review.
• 🎯 Tasks in TBL should have a clear purpose, focusing on the meaning and ideas conveyed rather than the language form.
• 📈 Measurable outcomes are crucial; tasks should result in a tangible product, like a completed YouTube video.
• 🔍 The lesson is typically broken down into stages: pre-task, preparation, task performance, and post-task.
• 🤔 The pre-task stage involves raising interest and preparing students for the task.
• 📚 During preparation, students focus on content and language needed for the task, with an emphasis on holistic language use.
• 🎥 Task performance involves breaking down the task into smaller parts, such as deciding on a topic, outlining, scripting, and rehearsing.
• 📊 Post-task involves evaluating and assessing students' work, with feedback on both linguistic performance and task completion.
• 👩‍🏫 The teacher's role is to monitor, support, and collect information for feedback during the task performance.
• 📝 Tips for successful TBL include ensuring tasks trigger genuine communication, planning adequate time for each stage, and anticipating content and language problems.

Q & A

What is the main focus of task-based learning (TBL)?

Task-based learning focuses on completing meaningful tasks that resemble real-life situations, helping students focus on the meaning and ideas they are conveying rather than just the language form.

Why is it important for tasks in TBL to have a clear purpose?

A clear purpose helps students concentrate on the meaning and ideas they are conveying, rather than just the language they are using, making the learning experience more meaningful.

What is the measurable outcome in TBL?

A measurable outcome means that by the end of the lesson, students should have completed a task, such as a YouTube video, ready to share with their peers and the teacher.

What are the stages of a TBL lesson?

A TBL lesson is usually broken down into stages including the pre-task, preparation, task performance, and post-task phases, each aiming to help students perform the tasks more confidently.

What happens during the pre-task stage in TBL?

In the pre-task stage, the teacher raises students' interest in the topic and helps them prepare to perform the task, focusing on content and language needed.

How should language preparation be approached in TBL?

Language preparation in TBL should not focus on discrete language items but rather a more holistic view of the language needed to successfully perform the task.

What is the role of the teacher during the task performance stage in TBL?

The teacher's role during the task performance stage is to monitor, provide support, and collect information that might be useful for feedback given in the post-task phase.

What should be the focus of feedback in TBL?

Feedback in TBL should not only be on the linguistic performance of the students but also on the completion of the task as a whole.

What are some tips for implementing TBL effectively?

Tips include ensuring tasks trigger genuine communication, planning appropriate time for task preparation and feedback, and anticipating problems related to content and language.

Why is it important to compare students' work with real-life situations in TBL?

Comparing students' work with real-life situations helps make the tasks more relevant and engaging, enhancing the learning experience.

How can teachers prepare for a TBL lesson?

Teachers can prepare for a TBL lesson by anticipating problems related to content and language, planning the appropriate amount of time for each stage, and ensuring tasks are similar to real-life situations.