behavior. It is not always described explicitly. It may be inferred from the tasks itself.
b input
It refers to the spoken, written, and visual data that learners work with in the course of completing tasks. It can be provided by teachers, textbooks, or other
sources. c
procedures It specifies what learners will do with the input. It describes techniques or
methods that are implemented in the classroom behavior. d
teacher role It refers to the part that teachers are expected to play in carrying out
learning tasks as well as the social and interpersonal relationship between the participants.
e learner role
It refers to the part that learners are expected to play in carrying out learning tasks as well as the social and interpersonal relationship between the
participants. f
settings It refers to the classroom arrangements specified or implied in the tasks.
c. Task Types
Pattinson 1987 in Nunan 2004 sets out tasks and activity types into seven categories.
a Question and Answers
These tasks can be used to practice almost any structure, function, or nation. These tasks are based on the idea of information gap activities by allowing
the learners to make a personal and secret choice from a list of language items that all fit into the given frame.
b Dialogues and Role Plays
These tasks can be totally scripted or totally improvised. However, the improvised dialogues or role plays are preferable since learners will participate
more willingly and learn more thoroughly. c
Matching Activities These tasks require the learners to recognize matching items, or to
complete pairs or sets. d
Communication Strategies These tasks require the learners more likely to practice communication
strategies such as paraphrasing, borrowing or inventing words, using gestures, asking for feedback, and simplifying.
e Picture and Picture Stories
Pictures can be used as an input in these tasks. It can be memory tests or sequencing pictures to tell a story.
f Puzzles and Problems
In these tasks, the learners are expected to make guesses, draw on their general knowledge and personal experiences, used their imagination, and test their
logical reasoning.
