Workshop: Task-based Language Teaching
Tasks in Action: TBLT for HL Learners
- Julio Torres, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
This is an introductory workshop on adopting the principles of task-based language teaching (TBLT) to create lessons for heritage language (HL) students. Three key reasons for using a TBLT approach with HL student populations are: (1) Most empirical evidence on classroom HL learning derives from studies that were inspired within a TBLT framework (Torres, forthcoming); (2) TBLT offers a practical methodology that facilitates its integration in the classroom; (3) Evidence suggests that HL students respond favorably to relevant real-world tasks (e.g., Torres & Serafini, 2016).
The workshop provides an overview of task creation as defined in TBLT, task-based methodology, and an example of a task-based lesson for a tailored writing course for HL learners. Participants will brainstorm task and task-based lesson ideas for their local teaching context.
The workshop concludes with: (1) an example of a critical task to promote critical language awareness; (2) ideas for using a TBLT approach in mixed classes; (3) resources, including the TBLT Language Learning Task Bank. All participants will receive a pdf compilation of the brainstorming ideas generated during the workshop, serving as inspiration to create TBLT lessons for HL learners.
References:
Torres, J. (forthcoming). An overview of TBLT approaches and cognitive processes with heritage language learners. System.
Torres, J., & Serafini, E.J. (2016). Micro-evaluating learners’ task-specific motivation in a task-based business Spanish course. Hispania, 99(2), 289-304.