Task-Based English Language Teaching in the Digital Age

This book illustrates the developments of task-based language teaching (TBLT) approaches in relation to the evolution of digital technologies. It highlights how technology-mediated TBLT principles can support English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning and contribute to understanding new classroom dynamics. Drawing from the key theoretical concepts of TBLT, the author discusses the integration of tasks and technologies from a secondary education perspective, which is often under-represented in the TBLT literature. Morgana looks at how the EFL secondary classroom has been recently re-conceptualised as a social place whose boundaries go far behind the traditional school settings. This book provides theoretical approaches and classroom implementation practices by presenting four case studies on the different L2 skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The volume is organised into two main sections. The first section focuses on the theoretical approaches to TBLT and highlights the key concepts behind this methodology. This section also looks at the recent development of a technology-mediated TBLT framework and its implementations in various EFL educational contexts. The second section presents four case studies of secondary-school EFL learners in Italy. Each case study focuses on a different language skill, providing examples of classroom practices in both blended and online learning settings. Pedagogical recommendations for teachers are provided at the end of each case study. The book adopts a multimodal approach and aims at providing scholars in applied linguistics and TBLT practitioners with theories and implementation practices to understand the ways technologies are shaping tasks and mediating students' learning processes.

Valentina Morgana is Adjunct Professor of English Language and Linguistics at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy.

List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements Introduction Part I: From Standard to Digital Task-Based Language Learning 1. From Task to Process: Key Concepts in TBLT 2. Theoretical approaches in Task-based Language Teaching 3. Moving forward: A framework for technology and TBLT Part II: Technology-Mediated TBLT in Practice 4. Task-based English Language Teaching in Secondary Education 5. TBLT, Technology and English Writing Skills. 6. TBLT, Technology and English Reading Skills. 7. TBLT, Technology and English Listening Skills. 8. TBLT, Technology and English Speaking Skills. Conclusions: The Future of TBLT and Technology in Secondary Education References Index