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UNIVERSITY TEACHER’S CONCEPTUALIZATION OF TASK-BASED TEACHING: A CASE study IN taybac university
i DECLARATION I, Nguyen Viet Hung, hereby state that this thesis is the result of my own research and the substance of the thesis has not, wholly or in part, been submitted for any degree to any other universities or institutions Signature: Time: March, 2009 ABSTRACT ii In today’s classrooms, language teaching method is undergoing tremendous transformations towards the integration of different methods according to the learner and teacher as well as contextual variables Language teaching is, therefore, a challenging job in any country The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how task-based language teaching supports the emergence of language study, within the context of northeast university students More importantly, how TBU teachers know about this method and their implementation of TBLT in order to improve their teaching quality The task-based language teaching provides students multiple opportunities to work for targets and to learn, both as form and meaning First, task-based language teaching is useful as it allows to treat learners as individual with their own needs and interests Second, it allows learners to take input from authentic sources which are communicative and comprehensible data, really relevant to their own needs and interests Third, the participants are provided with opportunities to engage in communicative use of the target language in a wide range of activities Working in groups or in individuals, students fulfill tasks in which they visually represent their personal interpretations of the world around They focus deliberately on various language forms, skills and strategies in order to support the process of language acquisition As teachers, they should conceptualize, research, of this method so as to fully exploit the potential of the available teaching materials The task- based language teaching can create a learning environment in which students interact with each other as they made sense of and access the available information for communication In particular, naturally unconscious learning occurs through threaded discussions and cooperation when they accomplish tasks Educators must be responsive to today’s learners This study illuminates the expanded possibilities for integrating tasks within the context of learning and teaching Findings of the study suggest task integration supports the emergence of language learning and teaching ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii My sincere appreciation is extended to all teachers at College of Foreign Language, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, especially who taught me methodological subjects and research methods, such as Mr Le Hung Tien, Mr Le Van Canh, and Mrs Nguyen Thi Thuy Minh Those by their interesting lessons and precious suggestions for teaching and researching engaged me in this field My gracefulness is also expanded to all university teachers of TBU for both their participations into my interviews and their opening classroom doors and inviting me to stay for my observations and their kind offer of teaching plans My deepest thanks go to my supervisor, Mr Le Van Canh, M.A., for always bringing out the best in me Without his wisdom, high expectations, and his unwavering support for materials, continued guidance, thorough suggestions and corrections, my thesis could not be completed I credit my family in Thai Nguyen for providing me the courage to embark on this journey and for teaching me to never, ever give up DEDICATION iv This thesis is dedicated to the true lover of my life, Bui Thi Huong, whom I loved for years She with her warm and gentle heart for love was an inspiration to me, and I could overcome all hardships She is remembered for her character by everyone with the talent, intelligence, and beauty Though we could not be together because of different inevitable reasons, my affections and thanks from the depth of my heart would go to her evermore TABLE OF CONTENTS v DECLARATION……………………………………………………………… i ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………… ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ………………………………………………… iii DEDICATION ……………………………………………………………… iv TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………… v LISTS OF ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………… viii LISTS OF TABLES…………………………………………………………… ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………… 1 1.1 Rationale…………………………………………………… …………… 1 1.1.1 State of the problem……………………………………………………… 1 1.1.2 Theoretical rationale …………………………………………………… 1 1.2 Purpose of the Study ………………………… ………………………… 1 1.3 Research Questions ……………………………………………………… 2 1.4 Significance of the Study ……………………………………… ……… 2 1.5 Limitations of the Study ………………………………………………… 2 1.6 Scope of the study………………………………………………………… 3 1.7 Organization of the Study ……………………………………………… 3 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………… 4 2.1 Definition of terminology………………………………………… 4 2.1.1 Defining ‘task’ and task-based language teaching……………… 4 2.1.2 Task-based language teaching to learners……………………… 9 2.1.3 Tasks, Actvities and Exercises…………………………………… 11 2.1.4 Developments of Task-Based Teaching………………………… 11 2.2 Theoretical Foundations…………………………………………… 15 2.2.1 Theories of 15 language……………………………………………… 2.2.2 Theories of language learning…………………………………… 16 2.2.2.1 Cognitive 16 theory………………………………………………… 2.2.2.2 Constructivist Theory…………………………………….…… 17 2.2.2.3 Generative Learning Theory……………………………………… 18 2.3 The nature of Task-based Language Teaching………………… 19 2.3.1 How is TBLT different from other teaching 19 methods? 2.3.1.1 Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) 20 ………………………… 2.3.1.2 Silent Way……………………………………………………………… 21 2.3.1.3 Experiential learning………………………………………………… 22 2.3.1.4 Co-operative 23 learning………………………………………………… 2.3.2 Task-based teaching versus other types of teaching instruction 24 models…………………………………………………………………… 2.3.3 Task-based Teaching Framework……………………………… 25 2.3.4 Task 29 types………………………………………………………… vi 2.3.5 Materials for Tasks Initiated…………………………………… 32 2.3.6 Syllabus design…………………………………………………… 33 2.3.7 Learner 34 roles……………………………………………………… 2.3.8 Teacher roles………………… ………………………………… 34 2.4 The importance of understanding teachers’ interpretation of 35 teaching methodology…………………………………………………… 2.5 Teachers’ interpretation of TBLT………………………………… 37 2.6 Teachers’ views of teaching methodology and their classroom 38 teaching………………………………………………………………… 2.7 Conclusion 40 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY………………………………………… 41 3.1 The fitness of case study to the research purpose…………………… 41 3.2 Restatement of research questions…………………………………… 43 3.3 Case description and context of the study……………………………… 43 3.3.1 The setting of the study………………………………………………… 43 3.3.2 Participants……………………………………………………………… 44 3.4 Instruments……………………………………… ……………………… 46 3.4.1 Interviews 46 ……………………………………………………………… 3.4.2 Observations……………………… …………………………………… 47 3.5.3 Teaching plan interpretation…………………………………………… 48 3.5 The procedure: ……………………………………… ………………… 48 3.5.1 48 Interviews………………………………………………………………… 3.5.2 Class 49 observation………………………………………………………… 3.5.3 Teaching plan interpretation…………………………………………… 50 3.6 Data analysis……………………………………………………………… 50 3.7 Conclusion ……………………….…………………… 50 CHAPTER 4 DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS………………………… 51 4.1 General overview of the findings……………………………………… 51 4.1.1 Teachers’ conceptualizations of task……………………………… 51 4.1.2 Teachers’ conceptualizations of task-based teaching…………… 53 4.1.3 Teachers’ attitudes toward task-based teaching……………………… 56 4.1.4 Factors affecting the TBLT implementation ……………………… 57 4.1.5 The reality of teachers’ class teaching………………………… 59 4.1.6 Teachers’ class teaching implementation………………………… 61 4.2 Discussions of the findings……………………… …………………… 63 4.2.1 Congruence and incongruence between teachers’ conceptualizations 63 and the composite view of TBLT ……………………………………………… 4.2.2 Congruence and incongruence between teachers’ classroom teaching 65 vii practice and teaching plans with the composite view of TBLT……………… 4.2.3 Consistence and inconsistence between their conceptualization with 66 teaching practices and teaching plans……………………………………… CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS, PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATONS AND 68 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY……………………………… 5.1 Summary of the major points of the study……………………… …… 68 5.1.1 Summary of the study………………………………………………… 68 5.1.2 Conclusions………………… ………………………………………… 68 5.1.3 Pedagogical implications………………………… …………………… 70 5.2 Limitation of the study………………………………………………… 70 5.3 Implications for future research ………………………………………… 71 LIST OF REFERENCES……………… …………………………………… I APPENDICES…………………… ………………………………………… VII Appendix A: Interview Questions………….….……………………………… VII Appendix B: Schedule of taped Interviews …………………….…………….… VII Appendix C: Samples of classroom observations……………………………… VIII Appendix D: Samples of teaching plans of university teachers…………… … XIV viii LISTS OF ABBREVIATIONS TBU: Tay Bac University TBLL: Task-Based Language Learning TBLT: Task-Based Language Teaching TST/ TSI: Task-Supported Teaching/ Instruction ELT: English Language Teaching ESL: English as Second Language CLT: Communicative Language Teaching PPP: presentation-practice-production TTT: Test-Teach-Test ESA: Engage-Study-Activate TM: Teaching method RQ: Research question IQ: Interview question ADTBLTOM: Ability to distinguish TBLT from other methods AC AT: Ability to conceptualize the advantages of TBLT AC DT: Ability to conceptualize the disadvantages of TBLT ACT BLLF: Ability to conceptualize the TBLT framework (+): Conceptual, positive, mentioned (-): Non-conceptual, negative, not mentioned (=): Neutral Att.: Attitudes Und.: Understandings Tim.: Time Tb.: Textbook Pre Preparation SLP: Students’ language proficiency NSs: Number of students in class Fac.: Facilities Vs.: versus Exer.: exercise/ act.: activity LISTS OF TABLES ix TABLE 1: Participants’ Profile TABLE 2: Participants’ conceptualizations of task (Data from IQ2, IQ9) TABLE 3: Participants’ conceptualizations of task-based teaching (Data from IQ2, IQ3, IQ 5, IQ6, IQ10, IQ11, IQ12) TABLE 4: Participants’ attitudes towards TBLT (Data from IQ2, IQ3, IQ4, IQ 5, IQ6, IQ8, IQ12) TABLE 5: Factors impacting on extent of TBLT implementation (Data from IQ2, IQ3, IQ 5, IQ6, IQ7, IQ8, IQ10, IQ11, IQ12, IQ13) TABLE 6: Participants’ class teaching practice (Data from class observations) TABLE 7: Participants’ orientation of teaching instruction (Data from teaching plan) TABLE 8: The deviations between teachers’ conceptualizations and their practice 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale 1.1.1 State of the problem Task-based language teaching, like other approaches to language teaching, is initiated in the west (Ellis, 2003) mainly for adult intermediate learners It opens new potential orientations and hopes to the EFL learners and teachers in some aspects of learning and teaching The application of this approach depends on a lot of factors, such as context of teaching, environment or social variables and as the matter of fact the teacher’s conceptualization Despite its popularity in Vietnam, this approach remains under- researched, especially how teachers conceptualize it according to their own understanding and beliefs In Tay Bac University, English language teachers have been introduced to this approach, and they often mention the need to use this approach to the teaching of English to the students in the university It is quite rational because Ellis (2003) has stated that task-based language teaching applied in universities is really a great help However, if the success of any language teaching method or approach depends on many factors, one of which is teachers’ understanding and conceptualization of the intended approach, the investigation of how teachers interpret Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) is an urgent need This study was intended to respond this need 1.1.2 Theoretical rationale Numerous studies suggest that teachers’ teaching approaches are less affected by the reserachers’ ideas but more by their conceptualization of the approach (Borg, 2003) In fact, there has been an emphasis on research into teachers’ understanding, interpretation or conceptualization of, and attitudes towards, the intended language teaching approach over the last decades Such conceptualization and attidues of teachers are shaped by various contextual and educational factors This study follows the research paradigm which seeks to uncover teachers’ psychology and cognition of TBLT in the context of Tay Bac University 1.2 Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers’ conceptualization of TBLT and their actual implementation of TBLT in their classroom Specifically, the following objectives were set up for the study: ... originating the task-based teaching and learning, based on the concept that effective learning occurs when students are fully engaged in a language task, rather than just learning about language... and learning of grammar and other language features as well as skills All in all, the role of task- based language teaching is to stimulate a natural desire in learners to improve their language... understanding, interpretation or conceptualization of, and attitudes towards, the intended language teaching approach over the last decades Such conceptualization and attidues of teachers are shaped by various