TSLB2063R

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING METHODOLOGY IN THE PRIMARY ESL CLASSROOM

Task-based Approach
Presented by:
AUNIE NAJIHAH BINTI MOHD NOOR
NAJAT AN-NUR NAQIYYAH BINTI HASMADI
Background
• Task-Based Language Teaching was first developed in
the 1980s by N Prabhu, a teacher and researcher in
Bangalore, South India.
• He suggested that language acquisition is “an
unconscious process which is best facilitated by
bringing about in the learner a preoccupation with
meaning, saying and doing”.
• He believed that using tasks would help tap into
learners’ natural mechanisms for second language
acquisition.

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Main
Characteristics
 PRE-TASK DURING POST-TASK
TASK
● Introduction to the topic ● Planning stage ● Presentation or
and task ● Working on the task submission of the task
● Framing the activity that has been given ● Focusing on form and
such as establishing mistake
the outcome of the task ● Task repetition or
● Team arrangement and evaluation
project overview

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• In a task-based approach, learners learn by
doing. Task activities are usually rich in
language, involving a wide variety of language
areas, as well as all the skills; reading, writing,
listening and speaking.
• By definition, a task must involve the processing
of information, communication and interaction.
• A task can be something that you do alone or in a
group.

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Types of activities
Group presentations
• Students will be assigned in a group of three or four members
and each group will be given a particular topic for
presentation.
• The main topic can be vague so that they can choose the
specific topic that interests them.
• For example, teacher will give the topic “Natural Disaster”
and students will discuss with each other what type of natural
disaster that they will choose to present.
• They will complete the task and do the presentation.

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Making a poster
• This task can be done individually. Students will make a poster
based on the current event or festival celebrated in their
country.
• For example, student can choose to make a poster on
“Malaysia Independence Day” and include some information
on the event.
• They will then present it in front of the classroom.

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Conducting an interview
• This task focuses more on their social and speaking skills.
Students will talk to each other about one specific topic and
find out their own opinion based on the topic.
• In order to get an accurate data, they will interview at least
10 students.
• After getting the results, they will analyze and make a report.
• Students submit the report to the teacher.

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Main principles
1. Making errors is natural and is considered as a part of the process in
achieving learning objectives
2. Learning tasks facilitating learners to engage in interactions are essential
3. Learners need to be encouraged in acquiring information from the early
stage in the learning process
4. Teaching and learning lesson pace should be made reasonable for both
learners with higher and lower aptitude

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5. Learning tasks should be varied to cater for the needs of both extrovert
and introvert learners.
6. Lesson should promote the learners to comprehend both meaning and
form of the task given, and it should be varied to accommodate learners with
different learning styles preference.
7. The process of learning should instill motivation and minimize learners
anxiety.

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Teacher’s roles
➔ Decide task to work on and when to
move towards new task
➔ Listen, respond and cooperate to
fulfill students’ needs
➔ Correct accordingly and give
feedback to students’ work or
achievement

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Student’s roles
➔ Work individually or with the groups
equally
➔ Gather, receive and process
information
➔ Present result or work to other
students and/or teacher

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References
• Prabhu, N. (1987). Second language pedagogy. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
• Willis, J. (2016). A flexible framework for task-based learning an overview
of a task-based framework for Language Teaching. Academia.edu.
Retrieved October 17, 2022, from
https://www.academia.edu/30503745/A_flexible_framework_for_task_b
ased_learning_An_overview_of_a_task_based_framework_for_language
_teaching

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Thank you :)