A Guide to Task-Based Learning (TBL) for ESL

The task-based learning (TBL) is one type of language teaching approach and method. Some of the other types of approaches and methods include the direct method, audio-lingual, TPR, and CLT. If you are trying to learn more about the TBL approach, you are at the right place! This article will go over the details of the task-based learning approach.

What is a Task-Based Learning Approach?

TBL is one of the many language teaching approaches and methods. This approach focuses on making students complete a task. In an ESL class, the teacher uses task based learning approach, students learn the English language through doing activities and completing tasks. The task-based learning approach emphasizes completing a task or the effort to use the language, so accuracy is considered less important.

In real-life ESL classrooms, the teacher will put students into groups or partners to complete tasks together. They may use other languages to discuss. This approach helps students stay engaged and explore the English language in a more flexible manner. When using the TBL approach, teachers act as a guide to help students work through the task completion process.

What is a Task?

In a TBL classroom, “task” refers to the bigger assignment students are given to complete. Students will work together in small groups or pairs. They will accomplish the task through multiple steps. These steps are generally ESL games and activities. The process of going through the activities will lead the students to complete or solve a task.

For example, if the task is to do a presentation in front of the class, the activities will include researching, making the presentation, writing a script, and practising with teammates.

What is Approach?

The word ‘approach’ means ‘a way of dealing with something’. In terms of language teaching approach and methods, approach can be used interchangeably with method. So, in ESL classrooms, teachers can choose the language teaching approach depending on what way they want the students to learn English.

Steps of Task-Based Language Teaching

As the focus of the TBL approach is on completing tasks, you want to set clear goals for students. The task (or goal) can be making a video, writing a report, or preparing a presentation. There are mainly three steps in preparing a task-based learning ESL class.

1. Pre-Task

During the pre-task stage, the teacher should introduce the goal or task to the students. You could do this by verbally explaining or handing out an instruction paper. It is best to set minimum expectations, so the less motivated students know what they have to do at the least.

If you are not sure how to give instructions, check out some tips for giving instructions to ESL students.

2. Task

This is the main stage where students start to work on the task as a group or pair. Tasks are formed to make students feel the need to use English in order to successfully accomplish the goal. During this stage, teachers do not really intervene. Rather, teachers monitor how students are collaborating, using the language, and completing the given task.

3. Review

The review step (or post-task step) begins when all of the students have completed the task. A great way to carry this step is to make reviewing the classroom’s work. In other words, make students evaluate their peers’ accomplishments. They can do this by simply giving feedback, leaving comments, or having discussions. Teachers can point out some frequently made errors instead of going over every single detail.

Task-Based Learning Activities

If you are looking for task-based learning classroom ideas, they out these activities.

Odd One Out

Odd One Out is a fun, warmer activity with a simple task. Put students into groups and show four words. Students have to collaboratively find out the one word that doesn’t go along with the other three. In a TBL lesson, encourage students to discuss in English, as that is part of the task!

Postcard Writing Activity

Postcard writing activity is a fun writing activity that requires some imagination from your students. Make your students imagine they are on a trip to another country. They are going to write and send postcards to their family and friends in their homecountry from wherever they are travelling. In a task-based learning classroom, put students in groups or pairs for discussion and make them complete the task in English.

FAQs About Task-Based Learning Approach

Here are some frequently asked questions about the TBL language teaching approach and method.

What is task-based learning in ESL?

The task-based learning in ESL (or any other language) is a way to assist students in learning a target language by focusing on completing tasks. It is one type of many language teaching approaches and methods.

What is an example of task-based learning?

Some of the examples of task-based learning include making a video, writing a letter, preparing a presentation, holding a meeting, planning a trip, and many more!

What are the 3 basic stages of task-based learning?

The three basic stages of task-based learning are pre-task, task cycle, and review (or post-task). Generally, instructors are not heavily involved in any of the steps. The biggest job of the teachers using this language teaching method is to monitor students completing the tasks and doing activities.

Task-Based Learning: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on TBL or the task-based language teaching approach? Do you think it is a good way to teach ESL in your classroom? Tell us what you think! We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2022-06-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API