Task-Based Language Teaching Approach To Second Language Speaking Performance

The thesis is mainly aimed at solving the problem that how the second language speaking performance can be improved and the task-based language teaching approach (TBLT) is advocated. A comparison is made between TBLT and traditional language teaching approaches and the unique features of TBLT are presented and its effectiveness on the second language speaking performance is explored.TBLT (task-based language teaching) refers to a type of language teaching approach which takes 'tasks' as its key units for learning second language. It emphasizes learning by doing', leaves learners to experience the target language and construct the language system by themselves. A 'task' here is not a language problem, but one which demands learners to solve by using the target language in communication. This approach designs the classroom from the learner's perspective, a humanistic view of learning. The speaking aspect of L2 is distinct with other aspects such as reading, writing, etc. Speaking involves much more acquiring factors, which the traditional classroom teaching and learning approaches are lack of. TBLT claims that the essential conditions that promote second language acquisition are environmentally similar to natural language acquisition, abundant exposure to the target language, plentiful chances to use it in communication, interaction and meaning negotiation between learners. It is the 'task' that is regarded as a vehicle generating such conditions. TBLT suggests that effective language learning is experiential rather than instructional. Therefore, What's more, the demand for the tasks to be similar to those in daily life ensures that the tasks possess the features of real communication. All this is supposed to be helpful in training learners' communicative competence.TBLT is a new model developed within the communicative language teaching framework. Compared with the classical communicative language teaching approach, what this new model is trying to carry forward, to develop, and to reform and the theoretical foundation of the model will be the key issues dealt with in this thesis.