CUTM 4012: Methods of Teaching English Week 1: Task-Based Learning

Coming in Activity Think about these questions and write down your thoughts: What age group do you hope to teach? Why are you interested in teaching this group?

Objectives Upon completion of your studies for Week 1, you should be able to: Show awareness of expectations for the semester. Show awareness of the rationale for task-based language learning. Define a task. Distinguish between a task and an exercise or a drill. Analyze a task to identify its components: givens, procedure, outcomes. Identify characteristics of student-centred learning. Explain how task-based learning is student-centred.

Overview of Today’s Class Orientation to CUTM 4012 Task 1: Wiki team building Establish team membership Establish ground rules for working together Mini-lecture and class discussion Rationale for task-based learning Definition of a task Task 2: Developing a task Task 3: Principles of student-centred learning Reflection: How is task-based learning student-centred?

Task 1: Wiki Team Building After your group has been formed: Exchange names and your reasons for wanting to teach a certain grade level. Read the story about Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. a. What is the main message of the story? Establish some ground rules for working together as a group. Rules during discussion Expectations for others about getting work done Establish a plan for how you will share the work load each week. Who will do the writing? Will you take turns? Remember: Wiki reports are part of your grade. Write down your rules and your plan.

Post-Task Reflection

Task 2: Developing a Task In Wiki teams: Discuss why the given exercise is not a task. Convert the exercise to a task. Write a description that includes: Givens Learner procedure Outcomes

Post-Task Reflection

Task 3: Principles of Student-Centred Learning Watch the videos to identify principles of student-centred learning. Add the principles to your list. Meet with your Wiki team. Take turns sharing observations. Explain why and how a principle was applied. Compile a group list of your observations.

Post-Task Reflection

End-of-Class Reflection Think about this question and write down your answer: How is task-based learning student-centred? 2. Meet with your Wiki team and share your reflection.

Wiki Assignment Your team’s Wiki should include: Team ground rules Team plan for distributing weekly work Write-up of an exercise converted to task, including a description of the givens, learner procedures, and outcomes Compiled list of student-centred observations as they relate to the principles Reflection responses from each team member