The other day, I was reading about different language teaching and learning methods. Two particular strategies stood out to me:
Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
I have frequently used both as a language learner, especially at the intermediate level. In today’s article, I will briefly describe each method and explain how you can implement them yourself. If you already know about CLIL and/or TBLT, feel free to send me any further reading @polyglotazren or by email as I am interested in continuing to learn more.
Strategy #1: Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)
As the name implies, TBLT is an acquisition strategy where learning is focused around the completion of a task. This method is broken down into three components: pre-task activities (e.g., preparation), the task itself, and review.
TBLT was a particularly important part of my Mandarin studies in 2019. At the time, I was in Taipei living with a homestay family. The homestay mom was a junior high school teacher and she arranged for me to talk to different classes about life in Canada. The presentations I gave were entirely in Mandarin since the students I spoke to did not know much English.
These presentations helped me improve my Mandarin proficiency because of the:
Pre-task preparation. I would spend hours preparing for each class talk.
The task itself (i.e., the presentation.) Presenting in front of children and teenagers was challenging, engaging, and memorable.
Post-task review. I reflected upon each presentation in order to give a better talk next time.
I continue to use TBLT now. For example, I have been working on a Gujarati podcast. The act of preparing, recording, and reviewing each episode has been helping me to improve my Gujarati level.
Strategy #2: Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
CLIL is an acquisition method where you learn about a subject that interests you (e.g., math, science, literature, history, cooking, robotics) using the target language. Here’s an example of how I applied CLIL to learn French and Spanish.
I graduated with a BA in French and Spanish in 2014. During the last two years of my program, most class time was spent reading, discussing, and debating literature...in French and Spanish. Therefore, I found that I became more proficient in French and Spanish not as as a result of studying the languages, but rather as a bi-product of studying literature. That’s the beauty of CLIL. By integrating language learning with another topic, you simultaneously increase your knowledge of the topic in question and improve your language proficiency.
As an added bonus, my literature professors utilized TBLT as a teaching strategy by assigning essays for homework. I wrote numerous 5-20 page research papers in French and Spanish every semester. The process of writing papers was useful due to the:
Pre-task preparation. I would spend hours reading research about the essay topic.
The task itself. In this case, the task was writing and editing an essay.
Post-task review. I wold review the professor’s feedback after submitting the paper.
One Way Use CLIL and TLBT Yourself
CLIL and TLBT are simple enough to implement for intermediate-level language learners. All you need to do is:
Choose a topic or skill you’d like to learn.
Go on Google and search for an online or in-person class to learn about the topic/skill you chose. Make sure your Google search query is in the target language. Otherwise, you won’t be able to find a class offered in your target language. For example, a Spanish learner wanting to sign up for private online singing lessons might search clases de canto privadas en línea.
Sign up for a class. Most classes will utilize a mix of TBLT and CLIL. For example, needing to learn a song would be considered a TBLT activity in a singing class, whereas studying music theory would be more of a CLIL activity.
Ensure the class challenges you. You should feel slightly out of your comfort zone for maximum learning. As Ginny Rometty said on Lex Fridman’s podcast, growth and comfort don’t usually co-exist. If you feel a little bit uncomfortable, you are likely on the right path.
Thanks Azren! Another interesting article and again grateful that this app allows me to listen to article in audio format. You’ve become part of my language learning process, through articles and classes. Much appreciated