Articles - by Jane and Dave Willis

Why task-based language learning?

A brief rationale for TBLT by Jane (a 5 minute read). What has 50 years of Second Language Research (SLA) shown us? Did you know...

The advantages of a planning stage after the task

Jane Willis (10 minute). After some examples of task sequences, this article explores the central stage in a typical Task- Planning-Report cycle within the larger...

Grammar and lexis in a task-based methodology

A short article by Dave Willis revised by Jane (6-7 minutes). Task-based learning (TBL) can be seen as a two stage process. The first stage...

Task-based learning for beginners: six suggestions, each with a purpose

Jane Willis (a 3 minute read). Task-based learning involves meaning-based interactions – teacher with class or learners with learners. Words and phrases are vital for...

Task-based Learning: a brief overview

For a concise description of how a task-based approach can be implemented, with a sample task-based lesson plan for more Advanced learners, see.

Task-based learning – What kind of adventure?

Published by JALT in The Language Teacher, 2005 This short paper, written by Jane for inexperienced teachers, looks at ways of designing tasks and suggests...

Activity-based language learning at primary level

This article, written with the less confident English teacher in mind, expands on some of the principles behind activity-based learning in the English classroom and...

Consciousness-raising activities

This article outlines techniques for encouraging learners to look at and analyse language for themselves. It also gives hints on how best to exploit texts...

Learning processes and teaching strategies

This short article argues that language learning is a complex process involving several stages. It explores the English verb system to show that different aspects...

Fluency, conformity and accuracy: A three-way distinction

This is Dave’s second article dealing with a three-way distinction, shorter and more accessible than ‘Focus on Meaning, Language and Form’. It illustrates the argument...

Focus on meaning, language and form

Many models of learning make a two-way distinction between form and meaning, or accuracy and fluency. But learners are often concerned with both form and...

A Functional view of language teaching

Published in the Proceedings of the Greek Applied Linguistics Association, Volume 9, 2006. This paper looks at language learning from a functional perspective. It argues...

From challenges of the past to waves of the future

Presented at the 20th APPI Conference 2006 Published in ‘In English’ The British Council magazine for Teachers of English in Portugal, Winter 2006. Download article

Articles by Jane and Dave Willis