task-based approach in language teaching.docVIP

Task-based Language Teaching 任务型语言教学简介 ??? The word Task first appeared in applied linguistics literature was in the early nineteen eighties. Task is not concerned with language form, but the meaning of the language, that is, the meaning of expression. Due to the different research purposes and research methods, there are many different definitions about “task”. Here are some well-known ones. ??? Michael Long defined it like A task is a piece of work undertaken for oneself or for others, freely or for some reward. Thus, examples of tasks include painting a fence，dressing a child, filling out a form, buying a pair of shoes, making an airline reservation，borrowing a library book, taking a driving test, typing a letter, weighing a patient, sorting letters, taking a hotel reservation, writing a cheque, finding a street destination and helping someone across a road. In other words, by `task it meant the hundred and one thing people do in everyday life, at work, at play, and in between. ??? Richards said “An activity or action which is carried out as the result of processing or understanding language (i.e., as a response). For example, drawing a map while listening to an instruction and performing a command, may be referred to as tasks. Tasks may or may not involve the production of language. A task usually requires the teacher to specify what will be regarded as successful completion of the task. The use of different kinds of tasks in language teaching is said to make language teaching more communicative, since it provides a purpose for a classroom activity which goes beyond the practice of language for its own sake.” ??? Prabhu thought that “Task is an activity which requires learners to arrive at an outcome from given information through some process of thought, and which slows learners to control and regulate that process.” ??? David Nunan believed that “Any classroom work which involves learners in comprehending, manipulating, producing or interacting in the target l