Task Based Learning and Task Based Learning and learning circleslearning circles

A social constructivist A social constructivist approach to language approach to language

learninglearning

MySN in contextMySN in context

What is Task Based What is Task Based Learning?Learning?

Task-based language learning (TBLL)Task-based language learning (TBLL) is a method of instruction in the field of is a method of instruction in the field of language acquisition. language acquisition. It focuses on the use of It focuses on the use of authentic languageauthentic language, ,

and to students doing and to students doing meaningful tasksmeaningful tasks using the using the target languagetarget language; ; for example, for example, visiting the doctor, conducting an interview, or visiting the doctor, conducting an interview, or calling customer services for help. calling customer services for help.

Assessment is primarily based on task outcome Assessment is primarily based on task outcome (ie: the appropriate completion of tasks) rather (ie: the appropriate completion of tasks) rather than simply accuracy of language forms. This than simply accuracy of language forms. This makes TBLL especially popular for developing makes TBLL especially popular for developing target language target language fluency fluency and student and student confidence confidence

Why use TBL?Why use TBL?

(1)   (1)   Learners need regular Learners need regular exposureexposure to the target to the target language in meaningful social (communicative) language in meaningful social (communicative) contexts. contexts. They need a lot of comprehensible They need a lot of comprehensible language input.language input.

(2)   (2)   Learners need frequent opportunity for the Learners need frequent opportunity for the active useactive use of the target language in of the target language in communicativecommunicative situations. situations. They must learn to They must learn to produce comprehensible output.produce comprehensible output.

(3)   (3)   Learners need a strong Learners need a strong motivationmotivation for for language learning for else they will not make the language learning for else they will not make the long and sustained efforts needed for coming to long and sustained efforts needed for coming to grips with the lexical and grammatical system of grips with the lexical and grammatical system of the target language.the target language.

(4) (4) Well-timed instructionWell-timed instruction in form and content to in form and content to help a learner take the next step in her/his help a learner take the next step in her/his language acquisition process. language acquisition process.

The role of the teacher..The role of the teacher.. Compared to traditional form oriented approaches Compared to traditional form oriented approaches

which divide the learning process into the three or which divide the learning process into the three or four phases (warming-up) -four phases (warming-up) -presentation presentation – – practice practice – – production production e.g. the PPP-Model and Neuner), in e.g. the PPP-Model and Neuner), in TBL the role of the teacher changes from that of TBL the role of the teacher changes from that of an an instructor and prosecutor of errorsinstructor and prosecutor of errors to that to that of a of a supporter and inventor of taskssupporter and inventor of tasks which which her/his learners enjoy doing. her/his learners enjoy doing.

It proved useful to divide the learning process in It proved useful to divide the learning process in TBL in three phases: The TBL in three phases: The pre-task phasepre-task phase, the , the the doing of the taskthe doing of the task, and the , and the post-task post-task phasephase. Taken together they form a . Taken together they form a task cycletask cycle. . The major role (task) of the teacher changes from The major role (task) of the teacher changes from phase to phase. It also has a different focus in phase to phase. It also has a different focus in work with beginners than in work with advanced work with beginners than in work with advanced students.students.

Some examples…Some examples…

Language Language villagevillage (The Netherlands)(The Netherlands) Language Language campscamps (Vietnam) (Vietnam) SpeakUp (developed by Dutch SpeakUp (developed by Dutch

students)students) Museum ProjectMuseum Project Excursion BaBeExcursion BaBe MySNMySN (TBL in the context of a learning (TBL in the context of a learning

circle)circle)

What is a learning What is a learning circle?circle?

Learning Circles are highly Learning Circles are highly interactive, project-based interactive, project-based partnerships among a small partnerships among a small number of schools located number of schools located throughout the worldthroughout the world

  In a Learning Circle learners share In a Learning Circle learners share their knowledge and experience, their knowledge and experience, learn new information and apply learn new information and apply and test new skills.and test new skills.

Why use a Learning Circle?Why use a Learning Circle? A Learning Circle makes learning more efficient, A Learning Circle makes learning more efficient,

since reports, demonstrations and learning since reports, demonstrations and learning experience are shared among the members of the experience are shared among the members of the circle. circle.

A Learning Circle provides an interactive learning A Learning Circle provides an interactive learning situation.  Teaching and training involve situation.  Teaching and training involve communication with people, and it is difficult to communication with people, and it is difficult to develop skills without a group of people to offer develop skills without a group of people to offer constructive criticism. constructive criticism.

A Learning Circle gives essential feedback to learners A Learning Circle gives essential feedback to learners from colleagues who are working on the same body from colleagues who are working on the same body of skills and information, and whose suggestions on of skills and information, and whose suggestions on techniques and resources are hence particularly techniques and resources are hence particularly valuable. valuable.

A Learning Circle offers the opportunity to organize A Learning Circle offers the opportunity to organize events, workshops for which numbers of people are events, workshops for which numbers of people are necessarynecessary

Operative principle of MySNOperative principle of MySNStep 1 : selection event

Step 2 : invitation partner schools

Step 3 : briefing of pupils

Step 4 : events under construction

Step 5 : publishing events

Step 6: activities and feedback

Step 7 : voting for the winner

What role can TUE (teachers What role can TUE (teachers and students) play in the and students) play in the

process? process? Step 1 :Step 1 : Step 2 :Step 2 : Step 3 :Step 3 : Step 4:Step 4: Step 5 :Step 5 : Step 6 :Step 6 : Step 7 :Step 7 :

Assigment learning circleAssigment learning circle

Design the basic thema for a learning Design the basic thema for a learning circle for your own subject.circle for your own subject.

Learning Circles are highly interactive, Learning Circles are highly interactive, project-based partnerships among a small project-based partnerships among a small number of schools located throughout the number of schools located throughout the worldworld

In a Learning Circle learners share their In a Learning Circle learners share their knowledge and experience, learn new knowledge and experience, learn new information and apply and test new skills.information and apply and test new skills.

Statement : From now on a learning Statement : From now on a learning circle is an integral part of the circle is an integral part of the

curriculum curriculum

Advantages LCAdvantages LC

Disadvantages LCDisadvantages LC

ConclusionsConclusions

TblTbl Learning circlesLearning circles