1. COMENIUS, Istanbul, March 2013 Hana Moraova
Task based learning
COMENIUS, Istanbul, March 2013
Hana Moraova

2. Outline Problems of school curricula Why task based learning
Task based learning in teaching practice
Selection of a good topic for task based learning
Overcoming language obstacles
Helping pupils to be successful in project work and its presentation
Assessment of task based learning

3. Some problems of school curricula
The hidden curriculum – What do we teach children (The social constructedness of curricula)
Compete rather than cooperate
Memorize and recollect isolated facts, that is the highest intellectual achievement, collection of unrelated facts is the goal of education
Respect adult authority
Your own ideas are inconsequential
Passively accept somebody else’s ideas
Remember some subjects are more important than other
It is less important to help the rest, get on yourself
Product is more important than process, the finishing tape matters

4. Why task based learning
Subjects not divided according to the timetable, cross curricular approach
Shows that all subjects are equally as important
Cooperation more important than competition
No memorizing
The teacher knows “less”, is not the authority, shows the way but does not guarantee the truth
Work with ICT
Good for multicultural classes, lets minorities be heard
The confidence building curriculum
But children with more cultural capital will still do better

5. Project work in teaching practice
Whole school projects x Projects within one subject
Cross curricular aspects
Examples from my own teaching practice

6. How to find a motivating topic?
Textbook or curriculum
Teenage world
Special interests of the class
Brainstorm idea with the pupils
Discussion with the pupils

7. Overcoming language obstacles and barriers
Pre-teach relevant vocabulary
Use dictionaries
Encourage pupils to use sources in English language
Ask pupils to make lists of vocabulary for classmates before presenting
Encourage pupils to rehearse their presentation
Pay attention to pronunciation of unknown words

8. Helping pupils succeed
Monitor group work
Split project work to smaller tasks, check their progress
Set deadlines
Explain the rules of making efficient presentation
Guide pupils, give them advice, comment on their work, tell them how to continue
Take pictures

9. Assessing task based learning
Portfolios, checklists
Make the criteria known, state the importance of different parts of work
Formative vs. summative evaluation
Peer assessment
Self assessment