Soran University

Faculty of Education
English Dept.

Task-Based Learning
(TBL)

Lecturer: Ejad N. Balaki

2023 ijad.hamad@soran.edu.iq
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 OUTLINE

 Introduction.

 Principles of TBL.
 Types of tasks.
 Materials.

 Learners’ role & teacher’s role.

 Task based activities for English learners.
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 Introduction

Task-based learning (TBL) is a teaching method that focuses on context and

meaning. This approach is also called task-based instruction (TBI) or task-based
language teaching (TBLT).

 A logical development of CLT ( a part of the overall communicative approach).

 It focuses on having students being competent communicators as opposed to
some of the older models like grammar-translation or the audio-lingual
method.

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 Principles of TBL

 Based on the use of ‘tasks’ as the core unit of planning &

instruction in the target language.
 Involve students in tasks that negotiate meaning in a natural &
meaningful communication.
 Combining all language skills together.
 A learner-centred method.
 Process rather than product.
 Very close to CLT.

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 Principles of TBL

 Emphasizes on the central role of meaning in

language use, not meaningless use of languages such
as ‘repeat after me’ activities!!
 Draws on all three models of language theories.
-Structural
-Functional
-Interactional
 Conversation is the central focus.

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 Task

Task: is an activity or a goal that is carried out using language.

 Example:
• Reading a map.
• Giving instructions.
• Finding a solution for a puzzle.
• Making a telephone call.
• Writing a letter.
• Visiting the doctor.
• Role Plays.

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 Types of Tasks

 Types of Tasks:
1. Listening tasks
2. Sorting & ordering
3. Comparing
4. Problem solving
5. Sharing personal experience
6. Opinion exchange
7. Decision making
8. Information-gap
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 Materials

Authentic Materials: based on real needs of the students.

• Realia (objects and material from everyday life, used as
teaching aids)
• Newspaper
• Internet
• TV
• Etc..

 Note: In a task-based language lesson, the teacher doesn’t decide

beforehand what language will be taught and learned.
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 Learner’s Role

 Learner’s Role:

1. Group participant.
2. Monitor.
3. Innovator.
4. Explore the language they want to know.
5. Discover what they need to know during the process.
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 Teachers’ Role

 Teachers’ Role:

1. Selector & sequencer of the task.

2. Preparing learners for the tasks.
3. Set up the activity.
4. Offer some guidance and feedback.
5. Consciousness raising (focus on the form &
attention focusing pre-task activity).
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Task-based

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 Task Based Activities for English
Learners

Vacations:
A common task-based learning activity for ESL/EFL students is
to get them to plan a vacation they’re going to take together
as a group and then do a short presentation about it to the
class, or submit a written assignment or video explaining it.

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Thanks for your attendance

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