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The notion of teaching through tasks is closely linked with the communicative turn in foreign language teaching since the early 1970s. Tasks-based language learning settings are en vogue, and even the current standards-mania in the EFL discourse draws some legitimacy from advocating tasks in the language classroom. A situation like this calls for critical review and analysis.
In this seminar, we will look at the wider context of the TBL-approach, its heritage and background with in the EFL discourse. For a thorough understanding of the potential of task-oriented language pedagogy, we’ll analyse the basic concept ‘task’ from various epistemological perspectives (e.g. cognitivism, pragmatism, constructivism, and critical pedagogy). Against this background,
task-based language learning systems and methodologies will be analysed and critiqued (e.g. scope, theoretical background and pedagogical implications).
Last but not least, we will develop exemplary, pedagogically sound and teachable task-based learning scenarios for the language classroom and – depending on opportunity – will observe actual TBL-classrooms.
Workload and assessment: There will be both plenary and collaborative phases throughout the semester. Individual work is needed for preparation of compulsory reading for some sessions.
Students are required to attend regularly. They will also be asked to prepare assignments (e.g. summaries or reviews of core and optional reading; summarising and contextualising main ideas from relevant texts; half-term and end-of-term review; products of collaborative work; etc.) on a regular basis.
Carstens, Ralph (2005): “’Engaging Learners in Meaning-Focused Language Use’” Praxis Fremdsprachenunterricht 4/2005: 7-12.
Weskamp, Ralf (2001): Fachdidaktik: Grundlagen und Konzepte. Anglistik, Amerikanistik. Berlin: Cornelsen. 70-75.
Core reading to be purchased:
Samuda, Virginia / Bygate, Martin (2008): Tasks in Second Language Learning. London: Palgrave/Macmillan.
Willis, Dave / Willis, Jane (2007): Doing Task-based Teaching. Oxford: OUP.
A course syllabus and reading list will be available on the accompanying moodle-course towards the beginning of the winter term. Kursschlüssel: TbLE |
