Towards a version of task-based approaches suitable for schooling David Carless University of Hong Kong

Aims of the study To probe key issues in the implementation of task-based teaching in Hong Kong secondary schools To probe key issues in the implementation of task-based teaching in Hong Kong secondary schools To work towards a version of task-based teaching suitable for schools in Hong Kong and other comparable settings To work towards a version of task-based teaching suitable for schools in Hong Kong and other comparable settings To propose some features of a ‘situated version of TBLT’ To propose some features of a ‘situated version of TBLT’

Critiques of TBT relevant to schools Bruton – limited applicability; new knowledge? accuracy? Bruton – limited applicability; new knowledge? accuracy? Klapper – too close to L1 processes for FL contexts Klapper – too close to L1 processes for FL contexts Seedhouse – task completion but limited linguistic output Seedhouse – task completion but limited linguistic output Swan – less effective for teaching new language; lack of input Swan – less effective for teaching new language; lack of input

Contextual suitability Espoused methodology needs to be sensitive to the socio-cultural context (Holliday, 1994) Espoused methodology needs to be sensitive to the socio-cultural context (Holliday, 1994) A context approach to language teaching (Bax, 2003) A context approach to language teaching (Bax, 2003) Ellis (2003): Ch 10 - innovationist perspectives e.g. cultural suitability; ESL vs EFL. Ellis (2003): Ch 10 - innovationist perspectives e.g. cultural suitability; ESL vs EFL.

Hong Kong context Façade of progressiveness mixed with generally traditional practices Façade of progressiveness mixed with generally traditional practices 1983 CLT syllabus not implemented widely 1983 CLT syllabus not implemented widely Recent task-based syllabi (primary c1997, secondary c2000) not implemented widely Recent task-based syllabi (primary c1997, secondary c2000) not implemented widely Adoption rather than implementation Adoption rather than implementation With pockets of successful implementation With pockets of successful implementation

Research method Semi-structured interviews Semi-structured interviews Purposive sampling Purposive sampling 10 teacher educators 10 teacher educators 11 teachers 11 teachers Extensive data set but single method (no classroom observation) Extensive data set but single method (no classroom observation) Analysis including, member checking and reinterpretation Analysis including, member checking and reinterpretation

Findings: 4 themes Need for adaptation of TBLT for Hong Kong schools Need for adaptation of TBLT for Hong Kong schools Role of grammar and PPP Role of grammar and PPP Role of examinations Role of examinations Oral group work in TBLT vs other modes Oral group work in TBLT vs other modes

Need for adaptation Danger of being too doctrinaire Danger of being too doctrinaire Risk of underplaying teachers beliefs and practices Risk of underplaying teachers beliefs and practices ‘TBL with local characteristics’ ‘TBL with local characteristics’ ‘An eclectic compromise’ ‘An eclectic compromise’

Quotation 1 “Teachers would actually have a lot more confidence if they can see variations suited to the TBLT framework, for example, with the language focus coming in right at the beginning. … My impression is most teachers will tend to be more in favor of a ‘soft’ TBLT approach” “Teachers would actually have a lot more confidence if they can see variations suited to the TBLT framework, for example, with the language focus coming in right at the beginning. … My impression is most teachers will tend to be more in favor of a ‘soft’ TBLT approach”

Importance of grammar Grammar teaching emphasised by teachers Grammar teaching emphasised by teachers Part of their existing beliefs Part of their existing beliefs Deductive rather than inductive approaches Deductive rather than inductive approaches “Students need more grammar” “Students need more grammar” Sometimes linked to communicative use of language Sometimes linked to communicative use of language

Quotation 2 “Why not spend more time on more traditional language approaches? Students need to be given more help with basic English grammar before they adopt the task-based approach. You can’t expect them to be able to perform a task successfully without giving them input”. “Why not spend more time on more traditional language approaches? Students need to be given more help with basic English grammar before they adopt the task-based approach. You can’t expect them to be able to perform a task successfully without giving them input”.

Input, pre-task & PPP Input: grammar, vocab, presentation, drilling Input: grammar, vocab, presentation, drilling Some teachers (and teacher educators) suggested that PPP is preferable to TBLT Some teachers (and teacher educators) suggested that PPP is preferable to TBLT Invoked limitations of TBLT rather than rebutting limitations of PPP Invoked limitations of TBLT rather than rebutting limitations of PPP Developmental readiness; lack of support for PPP in SLA theory. Developmental readiness; lack of support for PPP in SLA theory.

Quotation 3 “The problem with Hong Kong teachers is that they do a lot of feeding in of language at the beginning of the task cycle but very rarely language analysis at the end. This is something that I always recommend, not just for remediation but for extension”. “The problem with Hong Kong teachers is that they do a lot of feeding in of language at the beginning of the task cycle but very rarely language analysis at the end. This is something that I always recommend, not just for remediation but for extension”.

Exams Usually presented as a barrier to the implementation of TBLT Usually presented as a barrier to the implementation of TBLT Internal – less task-based Internal – less task-based External – more task-based (cf School- based assessment – Davison, 2007) External – more task-based (cf School- based assessment – Davison, 2007) Developments in external examinations impacting incrementally Developments in external examinations impacting incrementally

Quotation 4 “If task-based learning could be tied really firmly with assessment, preparing for exams, passing the test, passing a paper at HKCEE [Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination], then we would get more teachers actively engaging with TBL. For the reading paper at HKCEE, let’s have some tasks focused on reading”. “If task-based learning could be tied really firmly with assessment, preparing for exams, passing the test, passing a paper at HKCEE [Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination], then we would get more teachers actively engaging with TBL. For the reading paper at HKCEE, let’s have some tasks focused on reading”.

Beyond the oral group work task TBLT seems to place too much emphasis on speaking / oral group work TBLT seems to place too much emphasis on speaking / oral group work Challenges for oral group work tasks Challenges for oral group work tasks Need for R & W for exams and future study or work Need for R & W for exams and future study or work Balance of individual, pair and group work Balance of individual, pair and group work

Quotation 5 “I don’t know why exactly, but TBL seems to have become equated with group work. It doesn’t have to be so and I think all teachers should realize this” “I don’t know why exactly, but TBL seems to have become equated with group work. It doesn’t have to be so and I think all teachers should realize this” “Task-based approaches need to focus not just on speaking but on the other skills, too. If we could get more tasks out there on reading or writing, it would be very healthy. And that kind of task would cohere better with assessment and the nature of Hong Kong schools”. “Task-based approaches need to focus not just on speaking but on the other skills, too. If we could get more tasks out there on reading or writing, it would be very healthy. And that kind of task would cohere better with assessment and the nature of Hong Kong schools”.

Conclusions Dangers of TBLT being misinterpreted by teachers (and teacher educators) Dangers of TBLT being misinterpreted by teachers (and teacher educators) TBLT relatively complex, especially in terms of implementation TBLT relatively complex, especially in terms of implementation Many variations with task-supported teaching being perhaps most feasible for schooling Many variations with task-supported teaching being perhaps most feasible for schooling

‘Situated task-based approach’ Situated task-based approaches, in which culture, setting and teachers’ existing beliefs, values and practices interact with the principles of task-based teaching Situated task-based approaches, in which culture, setting and teachers’ existing beliefs, values and practices interact with the principles of task-based teaching

Suggested features Strengthened grammatical options e.g. focused tasks Strengthened grammatical options e.g. focused tasks Strengthened post-task phase, including CR Strengthened post-task phase, including CR Exam preparation linked more fully with task-based approaches Exam preparation linked more fully with task-based approaches Strengthened R & W tasks. Strengthened R & W tasks.

Full paper to appear as: Carless, D. (2007) The suitability of task- based approaches for secondary schools: perspectives from Hong Kong, System, 35(4). Carless, D. (2007) The suitability of task- based approaches for secondary schools: perspectives from Hong Kong, System, 35(4).