Task-Based Language Teaching from the University Teachers' Perspectives: Myanmar Context

บทคัดย่อ

        Task-based language teaching (TBLT) is an approach developed from Communicative Language Teaching. The main focus is on the learner, and it starts from what the teachers and a task need to ‘do’ to get learners motivated to do the task. It has become very popular worldwide and its increasing popularity has encouraged a shift in many educational contexts from the traditional teacher-centered to the learner centered classroom. This research investigates Myanmar EFL teachers’ understanding of Task-based language teaching (TBLT) at universities, their views on implementing TBLT in the classrooms and the reasons they choose or avoid implementing TBLT and the main reasons of applying or avoiding task-based language teaching in the language classroom. The questionnaire is prepared based on the theories of task and TBLT. A total of 73 English language teachers from different universities in upper Myanmar participated in this survey. According to the responses, most of the teachers understand the basic concept of task and principles of task-based instructions. Moreover, they have positive views on implementing TBLT in the classroom. Although they have positive views on TBLT, they also accept the difficulties and disadvantages of TBLT. “TBLT improves learners’ interaction skill.” is the major reason why the teachers use TBLT in their classroom. The reason “Large class size is an obstacle to use task-based methods.” is the major reason why the teachers avoid TBLT in the classroom.