Abstract
In task-based language teaching, various types of tasks are developed from different scenarios in daily communication. Different kinds of tasks encourage oral production of different generic features and can impose different degrees of information-processing pressure on second language (L2) learners. Therefore, the functions and nature of task types are worth considering when designing tasks. Although the effects of task types on L2 oral output have been explored in the current literature, L2 learners’ engagement in different types of tasks is relatively under-explored. Since engaging L2 learners in task performance can facilitate L2 learning, it is important for us to attend to learner engagement in task-based research. This study investigated the effects of two types of tasks, opinion-exchange tasks and storytelling tasks, on the oral performance of 20 English as a foreign language learners in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency and their engagement in L2 use. They performed two opinion-exchange tasks and two storytelling tasks. The analysis of their oral discourse revealed that the learners spent longer time, had more turn-taking, and more frequently negotiated language-related issues when co-constructing stories than in opinion-exchange tasks. The results reinforce the importance of considering task types in teaching L2 speaking.
Appendix: Task instructions
| Storytelling task on friendship |
You are invited to work in pairs and create a story on friendship with your partner using the following keywords. After completing the task, your group will be invited to share the story to the whole class.
Keywords: woodlands; an owl; a boy; an old lady; shortbread; a cottage
| Storytelling task on future life |
You are invited to work in pairs and create a story on life in 400 years with your partner using the following keywords. After completing the task, your group will be invited to share the story to the whole class.
Keywords: food; communication; human; life; house; relationship
| Opinion-exchange task on purposes for attending university |
What do you think are the purposes for attending university? You are invited to work in pairs and discuss the question with your partner. During the task, please list the possible goals, exchange your goals with your partner, and decide on the four most important goals and order them according to their importance. After completing the task, your group will be invited to share your list to the whole class.
| Opinion-exchange task on qualities in a life partner |
What do you think are the qualities to look for in a life partner? You are invited to work in pairs and discuss the question with your partner. During the task, please list the possible qualities, exchange your opinions with your partner, and decide on the four most important qualities and order them according to their importance. After completing the task, your group will be invited to share your list to the whole class.
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