TASK - Volume 3, Issue 1, 2023

Task-based language teaching (TBLT) is becoming increasingly accepted in a range of contexts across the globe as a viable learner-centred alternative to more traditional teacher-fronted approaches. In theory, TBLT has a lot to commend it. However, since its inception TBLT has moved and developed in a variety of directions and has been subject to a host of interpretations and orientations. In several cases, teachers hold onto teacher-fronted practices that clash with the philosophy and rationale of TBLT. These are complicating factors that can make TBLT implementation in classrooms problematic. This critical position paper considers teacher education as a mediating and supporting variable in the successful design and implementation of TBLT and tasks in classrooms. It begins with a summary of the benefits and limitations of TBLT. It goes on to present an overview of some of the challenges that have emerged from accounts of different contexts where attempts have been made to enact TBLT ideas, including the role of teacher education and a comparison of a pre-service and in-service teacher education initiative in one specific context. The paper concludes with proposing ten guiding principles for effective TBLT-oriented teacher education.

This study aims to bridge the gap between ‘communicative’ and ‘plurilingual’ approaches, by providing a means for teachers to integrate learners’ plurilingual repertoires when teaching an additional language (Lx). We developed a model of crosslinguistic instruction embedded within the task-based language teaching approach. It consists of a 4 stages task sequence: input-based task, crosslinguistic consciousness-raising task, output-based task, and recap of the sequence. An iterative process of field testing and analysis (Harvey & Loiselle, 2009) allowed us to refine the model: researchers in-depth analysis (functional field test), implementation of the model in Lx classrooms (empirical field test) and experts assessment (second functional field test). Participant perceptions and evaluations provide an overview of their appreciation of different aspects, which lead to the current version of the model.

In Canada, French immersion (FI) is a popular language program. In addition to needing strong pedagogies for language and content instruction, primary FI teachers need to attend to students’ age, cognitive level, and lack of exposure to the target language. We turned our attention to the potential of task-based instruction to conduct a two-year classroom-based study exploring communicative tasks designed specifically for young language students in FI. The study led to the development of an instructional sequence for task-based instruction for children ages 5–6, grounded in the Gradual Release of Responsibility model and scaffolded instruction. In addition to presenting this pedagogical framework, we discuss identify promising task-based pedagogical principles at play and highlight pathways for classroom application. We also discuss communicative tasks proposed to young students and offer the use of symbolic play as a type of task that shows promise for young learners in second language learning contexts.

Task-based research often focuses on the main effects of task variables on measures of complexity, accuracy, and fluency of second language (L2) writing performance. This study aimed to extend this line of research by examining the main and interaction effects of task type, learner L2 proficiency, and L2 study on register variation in L2 learners’ writing. Each of 42 Chinese learners of English as a foreign language responded to independent and integrated writing tasks before and after nine months of English language study. Each essay (N = 168) was rated on level of formality and tagged for various lexico-syntactic features. Overall, integrated essays were judged to use more formal language and were more informationally dense than were the independent essays. More proficient students were judged to use more formal language than did less proficient students. After instruction, students’ writing became more formal, more informationally dense, and more narrative. The findings and their implications for the teaching and assessment of L2 writing are discussed.

The present study considers global (Dörnyei’s 2005 L2 selves) and micro (task-specific) measures of motivation in a unique task-based context: a two-week, domestic Spanish immersion program for high schoolers in the United States (Gurzynski-Weiss, in revision).

Data was collected from eight students via task-specific questionnaires (given after 30 tasks), L2 self questionnaires (given at the beginning and end of a two-week program), and 12 daily reflective journals. Results indicated overall high L2 self-constructs with little change over two weeks of instruction, and all task domains were rated moderately to very high for task motivation. It was found that higher L2 self ratings regularly patterned with higher task-specific motivation, although participant individual differences and characteristics unique to a domestic immersion program also influenced task-specific motivation.