TASK-BASED LANGUAGE TEACHING (TBLT) AND TRADITIONAL METHODS IN DEVELOPING SPEAKING SKILLS
Keywords:
Task-Based Language Teaching, Traditional Methods, Speaking Skills, EFL, Communicative Language Teaching, Language PedagogyAbstract
Speaking is considered one of the most essential skills in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning, yet many learners still face challenges in achieving fluency, accuracy, and communicative competence. This study compares the effectiveness of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and traditional methods in improving the speaking performance of university-level EFL students. Forty participants were divided into two equal groups: one received instruction through TBLT, while the other was taught using the traditional Presentation–Practice–Production (PPP) approach. The intervention lasted six weeks, with pre-tests and post-tests measuring fluency, grammatical accuracy, and lexical richness. Data were analysed using paired-sample t-tests and descriptive statistics. The results revealed that the TBLT group achieved significantly higher improvements in all three aspects of speaking compared to the traditional group. Qualitative observations also indicated greater engagement and motivation among TBLT learners. The study concludes that TBLT offers a more effective and communicative approach to developing speaking skills in EFL contexts. Implications for language teachers and curriculum designers are discussed, emphasising the integration of task-based elements into classroom practice.
References
1. Ellis, R. (2003). Task-based language learning and teaching. Oxford University Press.
2. Harmer, J. (2015). The practice of English language teaching (5th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
3. Littlewood, W. (2004). The task-based approach: Some questions and suggestions. ELT Journal, 58(4), 319–326. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/58.4.319
4. Nunan, D. (2004). Task-based language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
5. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
6. Skehan, P. (1998). A cognitive approach to language learning. Oxford University Press.
7. Willis, J., & Willis, D. (2007). Doing task-based teaching. Oxford University Press.