The Application Of Task-based Approach In Multimedia-based English Teaching

In modern times the use of computer technology has captivated the attention of the teaching community. Multimedia and network applied in foreign language teaching has been considered to be a more effective medium of foreign language teaching, which represents an inevitable trend of applied linguistics. Over the last few years many schools, colleges and universities in China have experimented with multimedia-based and network-based English instruction. Computer assisted language learning ( CALL ) is becoming prevalent in foreign language learning and teachers play ever most important roles within this realm. But CALL is still neglected by many teachers and the deficiencies in combining computer with methodology in language teaching led schools and instructors reluctance to the adopt of CALL. Furthermore, emotion is the dynamic of learning and it will cause the halt of the learning process when in trouble. Teachers may often become the "mechanic hands" which can only press the keyboard in multimedia classroom, so that they neglect the communication with the students when resorting to the assistance of the multimedia aid teaching. How can multimedia-based English teaching overcome its ignorance towards students' emotional factor is also a problem the teachers should emphasize. In introducing the task-based approach into the new teaching mode, although "listening" is completed by the machine. It appears vivid and real because the content of "listening" embodies the students' needs and likes. Due to the computer, "Speaking" creates a strong linguistic environment and makes students more eager to put oral skill into practice as well as show themselves better with the help of multimedia. What's more, the assessment about the tasks should be accomplished satisfactorily with the participation of the students. In a word, in the process of finishing the tasks, the interaction between teachers and students will not lead to emotion of "negative learning" caused by facing the cold machine in the long term. Therefore, the advantage of the modern teaching facility can be shown entirely in assisting the English learning.This paper describes contents and features of the task-based approach in foreign language teaching, focusing on its practical application in CALL. It tries to construct a new mode based on both multimedia teaching and the latest teaching curriculum. The paper states clearly the new role teachers should play in the process of students' English learning.