ERIC Number: EJ1316418
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1481-868X
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Available Date: N/A
Get 'em While They're Young: Complex Digitally-Mediated Tasks for EFL Learners in Primary Schools
Caruso, Celestine; Hofmann, Judith; Rohde, Andreas
Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics / Revue canadienne de linguistique appliquée, v24 n2 p187-207 2021
We suggest that complex tasks can be introduced to learners as early as primary school level with the help of digital media in the form of different apps. As a theoretical basis, we will first outline the principles of teaching English in (German) primary schools. Secondly, we will look at the framework of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) according to Nunan (2004) and explore how digitally-mediated tasks can be connected to this framework. Then, we will look at complex tasks as outlined by Hallet (2011) and present an example of a complex digital task for young English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners that we developed and tested in a German primary school classroom. It is suggested that TBLT at primary level is a motivating alternative to playful teaching techniques traditionally championed at primary level. Moreover, it may be a way of bridging the problematic gap between primary and secondary level as tasks can prepare young learners for the challenges they will face at secondary level.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Elementary School Students, Task Analysis, Foreign Countries, Computer Software, Computer Assisted Instruction, Learning Motivation, Articulation (Education), Secondary Education, Educational Principles
Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics / Association Canadienne de Linguistique Appliquée. Departement de langues, linguistique et traduction, Pavillon de Koninck, Universite Laval, Quebec, QC G1K 7P4, Canada. Web site: http://www.aclacaal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
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Language: English
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Identifiers - Location: Germany
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