1. Text-based Prediction Tasks within a TBLT Framework
Glen Poupore
Department of English Studies
Université de Sherbrooke

2. Presentation Outline The TBLT Lesson Framework A Rationale for TBLT
Text-based Prediction Tasks
Text #1: Newspaper Article
Text #2: Newspaper Article
Text #3: Movie Trailer

3. TBLT Lesson Framework:
Pre-Task
Introduction to Topic and Task
Task Cycle
Task
Planning
Report
Language Form Focus
Analyze
Practice

4. THREE WAY DISTINCTION Focus on Meaning: Focus on Form: Focus on Forms:
occurs when learners are concerned with communication
and with producing and understanding messages
occurs when learners are initially or have initially focused on
meaning and are now thinking about or talking about form
traditional grammar approach based on a syllabus of graded
structures (forms) and these are pre-taught in advance of
activities designed to practice them (-> PPP)

5. 4 Essential Conditions for Successful SLA
A high level of motivation
Exposure to lots of L2 input
Lots of opportunities to produce the L2 for true communicative purposes
Opportunities and a willingness to focus on language form

6. Defining ‘Task’
A task is a motivationally engaging activity in which learners interact and use language freely with an emphasis on meaning in order to achieve a clearly stated goal whose results need to be reported orally and/or in writing.

7. Text-based Prediction Tasks Using a TBLT Framework
Read/View Parts of Text
Prediction Task
Read/View Full Text
Focus on Form using Lg in Text

8. Text-based Prediction Task #1: The Boy Who Came Out From the Cold

9. Focus on Form Activity #1: Vocabulary
Find six phrases in the article which refer to the cold and/or its effects.

10. “Cold” Related Words / Phrases
‘cold store’
‘temperature around freezing point’
‘with his teeth chattering’
‘his face purple with cold’
‘still freezing’
‘It was bitterly cold’

11. Focus on Form Activity #2: Grammar
Underline all the past-tense verbs ending in ‘ed’ and divide them into two or three categories (Types of past-tense verb forms).
Then find other past-tense verbs (non-’ed’) from the story to add to the appropriate lists.

12. Past-Tense Verb Forms Ending in ‘ed’: Part Participle
‘spent the night trapped in’
‘after being locked in’

13. Past-Tense Verb Forms Ending in ‘ed’: Simple Past
‘immediately telephoned his parents’
‘the door locked behind me’
‘I tried to’
‘I realized’

14. Past-Tense Verb Forms Ending in ‘ed’: Past Perfect
‘who had reported him missing’

15. Focus on Form Activity #3: Grammar
Collect students’ sheets and use their question errors to create a focus on form activity.

16. Student Error #1
How the boy trapped?
How did the boy get trapped?

17. Student Error #2
How he escape?
How did he escape?

18. Student Error #3
What he did there?
What did he do in there?

19. Focus on Form Activity #4: Pronunciation
Pronunciation Focus / Drill: F:P Confusion
Freezing
Food Shelf
Staff
Face purple with cold
Stratford upon Avon

20. Text-based Prediction Task #2: Hello, I’ve just jumped off the Empire State Building

21. Focus on Form Activity #1: Expressions of Place
Underline all the phrases in the text that are related to place?
Examples: ‘in New York’, ‘off the Empire State Building’…
Notice the use of prepositions.
Which preposition is most commonly used?

22. Focus on Form Activity #2: Reflexive Pronouns
There are three different uses of reflexive pronouns in the text.
Reflexive pronoun used as indirect object (I gave myself a manicure) [1 example in text]
Reflexive pronoun used as direct object (I hurt myself.) [3 examples in text]
Reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or identity. [1 example in text]

23. Simple Activity for Reflexive Pronouns as Indirect Object
Fill in the blanks by using reflexive pronouns:
I cut _____ a piece of cake.
She got _____ a drink.
They made _____ a few sandwiches.
We cooked _____ a big pizza.
You should bake _____ a loaf of bread.

24. Focus on Form Activity #3: Collocations with ‘Strong’
Which word collocates with the word ‘strong’ in the text?
‘Strong wind’
What other words collocate with the word ‘strong’?
‘strong current’, ‘strong swimmer’, ‘strong team’, ‘strong possibility’, ‘strong coffee/tea’, ‘strong smell’, ‘strong accent’

25. Text-based Prediction Task #3: ’Wicker Park’ Movie Trailer

27. Focus on Form Activities Using the ‘Wicker Park’ Movie Trailer Transcript?
Read the transcript and try to identify vocabulary items that you would highlight to create your own focus on form activities.

28. Some Possible Language Items
… will lure him deeper.
Is this supposed to be funny?
…and so hot!
…more deceiving than the next.
You make yourself into such a victim.
…such a victim.
Grammar? -> Categorize words ending in ‘s’