CUTM 4012: Methods of Teaching English

Week 1: Task-Based Learning

Coming in ActivityThink about these questions and write down your thoughts:•What age group do you hope to teach?•Why are you interested in teaching this group?

ObjectivesUpon completion of your studies for Week 1, you should be able to:•Show awareness of expectations for the semester.•Show awareness of the rationale for task-based language learning.•Define a task.•Distinguish between a task and an exercise or a drill.•Analyze a task to identify its components: givens, procedure, outcomes.•Identify characteristics of student-centred learning.•Explain how task-based learning is student-centred.

Overview of Today’s Class1. Orientation to CUTM 40122. Task 1: Wiki team building

a. Establish team membershipb. Establish ground rules for working together

3. Mini-lecture and class discussiona. Rationale for task-based learningb. Definition of a task

4. Task 2: Developing a task5. Task 3: Principles of student-centred learning6. Reflection: How is task-based learning student-centred?

Task 1: Wiki Team BuildingAfter your group has been formed:1.Exchange names and your reasons for wanting to teach a certain grade level.2.Read the story about Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

a. What is the main message of the story?3.Establish some ground rules for working together as a group.

a. Rules during discussionb. Expectations for others about getting work done

4.Establish a plan for how you will share the work load each week.a. Who will do the writing?b. Will you take turns?c. Remember: Wiki reports are part of your grade.

5.Write down your rules and your plan.

Post-Task Reflection

Task 2: Developing a TaskIn Wiki teams:1.Discuss why the given exercise is not a task.2.Convert the exercise to a task. Write a description that includes:• Givens• Learner procedure• Outcomes

Post-Task Reflection

Task 3: Principles of Student-Centred Learning1. Watch the videos to identify

principles of student-centred learning.

2. Add the principles to your list.3. Meet with your Wiki team.

a. Take turns sharing observations. Explain why and how a principle was applied.

b. Compile a group list of your observations.

Post-Task Reflection

End-of-Class Reflection1.Think about this question and

write down your answer: How is task-based learning student-centred?

2. Meet with your Wiki team and share your reflection.

Wiki AssignmentYour team’s Wiki should include:• Team ground rules• Team plan for distributing weekly work• Write-up of an exercise converted to task, including a

description of the givens, learner procedures, and outcomes• Compiled list of student-centred observations as they relate

to the principles• Reflection responses from each team member