Task-based Foreign Language Learning

The study of "task-based learning" abroad has a history of over twenty years. In the early 1980's, Prabhu, from the perspective of teaching, put forward the theory of task-based learning. Then, researchers began to study this theory from different angles, involving task definition, criteria for task selection, sequencing of tasks, the pattern for task-based learning , emotion and task, cognition and task, communication and task. So to speak, the study of task-based learning and teaching has reached a mature period. The harmony and conflict of the varied viewpoints and visions enable us to understand and reflect the essence of task-based learning more thoroughly. At present, researchers abroad tend to study task-based learning from a sociocultural perspective, which opens an area of inquiry full of hope and challenge in the study of task-based learning.In our country, the study of task-based learning is only in the initial stage. In 2001, "The English Course Standards" issued by the Ministry of Education formally put forward the theory of task-based learning, which brought about the reforming wave of studying task-based learning. Some Chinese researchers began to introduce the task-based learning patterns from abroad, and some teachers began to copy those patterns into the classrooms of our country. But in viewing the situation as a whole, the study of task-based learning still remains in the stage of individual introductions. It is difficult for the teachers to appreciate the basic concept of task-based learning and its operation patterns from those limited explanations. Needless to say, they cannot apply the theory effectively to the classroom teaching. What's more, the teachers attach more importance to the study of the teaching aspect in the task-based learning pattern than its learning aspect. This one-sided approach is against the essence of task-based learning, and it is really a drawback.Based on these problems, this dissertation begins from the basic learning conditions, analyzes and examines the four important conditions of foreign language learning: language exposure, use of language, motivation and instruction. In addition, it makes a clear relevance of three pairs of the basic concepts: consciousness and unconsciousness, form and meaning, part and whole. Through the multidimensional analyses of the theory and concepts of task-based learning, the dissertation puts forward and explains the five basic features of task-based learning: activity, situativity, dialogicality, constructivity and instrumentality. Based on this, it makes a deep analysis and evaluation on Willis' framework for task-based learning and a teaching sample designed by aChinese teacher, and points out the shortcomings of Willis'framework (such as lack of situation, evaluation, authentic language input, etc.) This dissertation also presents an in-depth review of the five problem areas in designing the task-based learning in our country. It further suggests ten principles of designing tasks, and points out that the problems of lacking in situation and authentic language input can be solved by the combination of modern multimedia technology and task-based learning. Finally, based on the characteristics, patterns and case-analyses of task-based learning, this dissertation summarizes ten implications of task-based learning for the English teaching reforms of our country, puts forward the viewpoint that task-based teaching in our country should be situation-supported, student-centered, task-oriented, cooperation-principled and technology-mediatedIn China today, a series of important reforms are being undertaken in the 21-Century English elementary education. Especially, the classroom teaching reform becomes the focus of people's attention. Though in our country, the study and practice of task-based learning began only a few years ago, its theory represents the basic law of people's foreign language learning, and keeps pace with the trend towards the foreign language teaching reform. So, task-based learning has shown great vitality and...