Includes bibliographical references (p. 318-320) and index.

"The Tasks in this book are designed to stimulate discussion of key issues related to language teaching and learning. The topics range from the nature and processes of language learning to specific materials and techniques for use by teachers

The book contains 40 Tasks, of two types. The Discussion Tasks allow users to examine general principles and issues in the context of their specific teaching circumstances, and to exchange ideas. The Classroom-based Tasks provide a practical framework for small-scale classroom research-testing out ideas, assumptions and hypotheses in the context of specific classes and learners.

The book is suitable for:
courses leading to formal professional qualifications;
in-service training programmes;
informal professional development.

The introduction for trainers includes suggestions on how to use the Tasks and how to carry out small-scale research in the classroom. It also offers trainers help in devising appropriate additional Tasks for their particular circumstances, and gives ways to evaluate Tasks in use. Detailed trainer's notes are provided for each Task showing how to integrate the Tasks into training and development programmes. Photocopying of the Tasks for use in groups is permitted." (Book Cover)

CONTENTS

List of Tasks in Part B

Thanks

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Part A For the trainer
1 Using the tasks
2 Carrying out small-scale research in the classroom
3 Devising and evaluating Tasks

Part B Tasks and accompanying notes
4 The learners
5 The teacher
6 Planning
7 Teaching: Developing skills
8 Teaching: Developing linguistic competence

Part C Resources bank
Section 1 Compositions written by learners of English
Section 2 Schemes of work and lessons plans
Section 3 Extracts from published materials

Bibliography

Index

List of Tasks in Part B

4 Learners
Discussion Tasks 1 Learners: Personality, styles and characteristics
Discussion Tasks 2 Autonomy and learning
Discussion Tasks 3 Motivation and learning
Discussion Tasks 4 Learning strategies
Discussion Tasks 5 Learner's roles
Discussion Tasks 6 Learner's language
Classroom-based Task 1 Materials designed to develop learning skills
Classroom-based Task 2 Learning styles and strategies
Classroom-based Task 3 Learners' awareness of errors and mistakes and attitudes towards these

5 The teacher
Discussion Tasks 7 General teaching styles
Discussion Tasks 8 Teachers' roles
Discussion Tasks 9 Teachers' language: Instructions
Discussion Tasks 10 Teachers' use of the learners' first language
Classroom-based Task 4 Analysis of teachers' language of instructions
Classroom-based Task 5 Teachers' use of the learners' first language

6 Planning
Discussion Tasks 11 Schemes of work
Discussion Tasks 12 Planning individual lessons
Discussion Tasks 13 Lesson aims
Discussion Tasks 14 Planning patterns of interactions in lessons
Classroom-based Task 6 Evaluating schemes of work
Classroom-based Task 7 Evaluating lesson plans
Classroom-based Task 8 Students' attitudes to different patterns of interaction

7 Teaching: Developing skills
Discussion Tasks 15 Materials designed to develop comprehension skills
Discussion Tasks 16 Factors involved in effective listening
Discussion Tasks 17 Developing listening skills
Discussion Tasks 18 Factors involved in effective reading
Discussion Tasks 19 Developing reading skills
Discussion Tasks 20 Factors involved in oral fluency
Discussion Tasks 21 Developing oral fluency
Discussion Tasks 22 Factors involved in effective writing
Discussion Tasks 23 Developing writing skills
Classroom-based Task 9 Students' awareness of comprehension sub-skills
Classroom-based Task 10 Oral Fluency Classroom-based Task 11 Writing skills

8 Teaching: Developing linguistic competence
Discussion Tasks 24 Contrasting approaches
Discussion Tasks 25 Task-based activities
Discussion Tasks 26 Example sentences
Discussion Tasks 27 Establishing the meaning of language items
Discussion Tasks 28 Introducing new language items and planning lessons
Classroom-based Task 12 Approaches to teaching grammar