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.