Practical Research On Task-based Teaching

Task-based Teaching is an approach that views specific tasks as learning motivation, the process of accomplishing tasks as the process of learning, and the ways of demonstration of the achievements as the result of teaching. Task-based Teaching requires that we should change the objectives of the classroom into a series of real tasks, and we should combine the process with the methods and integrate the knowledge with the skills. As a result, student-centered, activity-centered and task-centered will be actually realized. This approach entrusts students' impulse of learning and stimulates students' creative enthusiasm. Therefore, Its influence is constantly strengthened and it is gradually applied to many teaching fields.Task-based Teaching integrates or embodies many teaching theories and teaching ideas, including interactive teaching idea, life-based teaching idea, experience-based teaching idea, participative teaching idea and activities-based approach idea; reflecting humanism, pragmatism and constructivism.Based on investigating into the application of Task-based Teaching and the effects of it's application, through English teaching of seventh Grade of middle school attached to Northwest Normal University, we found that students could not only reach the three-leveled objectives of Curriculum Standard in language skills, language knowledge, emotion and attitude, learning strategy and culture consciousness, but also make the balanced development. Consequently, in a certain sense, Task-based Teaching is an effective way of achieving the objectives of the new National Curriculum Standard.However, there are a lot of problems that can't be neglected in the application of Task-based Teaching. That is, there are some errors of understanding, difficulties of application and the barriers of the implementation. Facing these problems, we put forward the following countermeasures: The errors of understanding can be eliminated through grasping the essence of task-based teaching; Some difficulties can be overcome by valuing beliefs of making designs for task and re-constructing teacher's knowledge structure; The barriers of implementation can be broken through by means of realizing teaching of small class, strengthening the integration of subjects and developing text research.Task-based Teaching has its different times background and culture backgroundwhen it came into being, so it can't be applied randomly and mechanically. Based on considering different specific countries, schools and students, we should develop text research and find out a successful approach to implementing Task-based Teaching. Five countenneasures or suggestions can be offered here: Firstly, Task-based Teaching can be optimized through applying developmental teaching strategy. Secondly, Task-based Teaching can be implemented effectively by using cooperative learning strategy. Thirdly, Task-based Teaching can be implemented with coordination by means of carrying out thinking teaching. Fourthly, Task-based Teaching can be activated by way of utilizing multi-media teaching technology. Lastly, Task-based Teaching can be perfected by means of extending some tasks.