IMB

Instructional Materials Bank

 

MCT

 

FonF-T LFE
Meaning-Centered Tasks Focus-On-Form Tasks Language Focus Exercises

 

To get learners to use whatever English they know to do real-world tasks with observable non-linguistic outcomes is what MCTs are called for.  No prepping or 'useful' vocabulary pre-teaching should be involved. Instead of the traditional PPP sequence, learners go through self-identification, contextualization, complication, info search, resolution, and evaluation steps. Another important purpose of MCTs is to generate a wider  range of (unpredictable) learning outcomes in the form of learning events, not to pursue planned linguistically-defined teaching objectives.

The presented real-world tasks are expected to create cognitive, emotional, interpersonal tensions that should be resolved with the language as a mediation tool. While working on an MCTs in groups, learners can become aware of their current abilities and limitations to use English, what language form they lack to express contextualized personal meanings, develop the sense of ownership in the learning process. 

Each MCT has the following features:

  • printable worksheets

  • completion protocols and transcripts of learners' discourse to demonstrate possible task resolutions

  • instructors' narratives reflecting their personal experience of doing MCTs

These tasks can be completed both in- and outside-classroom time. Ideally, learners should complete them in groups: a learner, working alone, may find some of these tasks challenging.

The purpose of these tasks is to train learners' ability to effectively manage their personal focus of attention resources in real time, get them to notice new form-meaning relations, and initiate interaction about their newly discovered problems with the language. 

Each FonF-T has the following features:

  • printable worksheets

  • multimedia input

  • answer keys

This group of tasks (exercises) is suitable for self-study outside-classroom practice.  After learners have become aware of certain problems with their language, they can choose to focus on specific language elements at different levels. 

Each LFE has the following features:

  • interactive: no need to print out

  • multimedia input

  • answers keys

  • corrective feedback

  • timer

  • score counter