IntegratingTask-basedApproachtoTeachingLanguageandCulture.docVIP

Integrating Task-based Approach to Teaching Language and Culture 作者：葉佰賢老師??????學歷：PhD candidate, Applied Linguistics, University of Birmingham, UK??????現任：文藻外語學院英文系 專案講師 Introduction 　In Language and Culture (L/C) class, students explore sociolinguistics topics that cover issues such as bilingualism, multilingualism, World Englishes, language and identity, language and gender, varieties and conflict, and dying languages among others. For EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students, the fundamental concepts behind the required readings can be challenging. In addition to in-class discussions, what else can teachers do to engage students in meaningful learning? What sort of activity can be done to allow students make a stand on the issues raised in the lessons? What is the nature of task that gives students the chance to not only learn the culture of the target language but also connect the underlying issues that help shape how they view their own language and culture? In this article, I will discuss the importance of task-based approach in learning language and culture and will provide suggestions on how EFL teachers can integrate task-based projects into their own classrooms. ??????Task-based Learning?????? 　 In the field of teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) and/or English as a second language (ESL), task-based learning and instruction has been popularized by authors like N. Prabhu (1987), Rod Ellis (2003), David Nunan (1989), Jane Willis (1996), and Peter Skehan (1998). The term ‘task’ has been widely used to refer to free practice or classroom activities where students make use of the target language in a more authentic way (see Crookes and Gass, 1993). Such activities entail collaborative work with a partner or a small group (Candlin, 1987). According to Johnson and Johnson (1984), cooperation and group learning are effective in fostering social and interpersonal skills. Task-based learning activities are also mostly initiated by the teacher; st