Abstract:

Far too often, our second and foreign language learning students' communication in the target language is restricted to our classrooms. How can we promote the authentic use of language involving true negotiation of meaning as a learning strategy? In this interactive session, the presenters will discuss the development of a series of authentic tasks for language development that were implemented in three contexts: a Spanish-language study abroad program; a community ESL program for Spanish-speaking immigrants; and a university-level Spanish as a Foreign Language program. The presenters will discuss the feasibility of authentic tasks in these contexts, share the assignments they developed, and examine the results of students' reflections about their challenges and successes in completing the tasks. Special attention will be given to preparing students lexically, syntactically, and affectively for the tasks. Participants will be invited to consider how the tasks can be adapted to their own teaching contexts, and a website will be developed where they can share their lesson plans and pose questions to their colleagues. The presenters will also offer suggestions for language learning contexts in which opportunities for communication with native speakers of the target language are not readily available.

Keywords:

Language Learning, Authentic Tasks.