Appendix 1
In-Service Teacher Development Course on Task-based Language Learning,
Teaching and Assessment for Primary English Teachers (May-July 2003)
Jointly organized by English Language Education Section, CDI, EMB and
TELEC, Faculty of Education, HKU
Course content and schedules
A. Overall aim:
To enhance teachers' knowledge, skills and strategies in using the task-based approach
for learning and teaching English, so as to help them build up their confidence and
competence in developing and using tasks for learning, teaching and assessment purposes
B. Course content:
There are 8 identical course events. Each course event will consist of the following 5
three-hour sessions:
Session 1
The English language curriculum framework and principles of taskbased language learning in relation to the needs of Hong Kong
primary students
After a brief introduction to the English language curriculum framework, participants will
be introduced to the principles of task-based language learning (TBL) with specific
reference to the needs of Hong Kong primary students. Exemplar modules will be used to
explore the key features of tasks, explain the relationships between modules, units and
tasks and illustrate the learning, teaching and assessment cycle.
Session 2
How to plan for TBL
The place of grammar in TBL and the role of pre- and post-task activities, extended tasks
and projects will be discussed in this session. Participants will examine how they can be
integrated in TBL with the exemplar modules. They will also be helped to understand the
differences between tasks and exercises and how they complement each other in TBL.
Participants will start planning their own learning and teaching unit, applying the concept
of modules, units and tasks, applying the principles of TBL and integrating the use of
grammar, pre- and post-tasks, extended tasks and projects.
Session 3
How to enrich students’ TBL experiences and develop generic skills
Participants will be introduced to practical examples which illustrate the use of a wide
range of resources, including language arts resource materials, multi-media resource
materials and different text types, to promote critical thinking, creativity and cultural
awareness in a pleasurable task-based language learning environment. They will first
study the exemplar modules to find out how such activities can be integrated effectively
into TBL. Then they will integrate the use of them in planning their own learning and
teaching unit.
Session 4
How to enhance learning and teaching through task-based assessment
The purposes and differences between summative and formative assessments will be
covered in this session. The development of some assessment criteria will be illustrated
with the exemplar modules. Participants will then be involved in developing some criteria
for assessment that will help to provide useful information about their students’ progress
and needs. They will then consider how to integrate assessment into the plans for their
learning and teaching unit.
Session 5
Putting principles into practice - Developing an action plan for the
implementation of a unit of tasks
Participants will be given guidelines, through the steps of designing and developing an
action plan for a unit of tasks, to implement the learning, teaching and assessment cycle
in their own school. They will discuss how to adapt and integrate some ready-made
materials for learning, teaching and assessment in the development of task-based learning
for their own students. Participants are to submit their action plan as an end-of-course
assignment.
Assignment
At the end of the course, participants will submit an action plan for the implementation of
a learning, teaching and assessment cycle. Participants need to draw on a set of principles
derived from their understanding of the course materials and issues covered.
C. Course schedules
There are 8 identical course events available at different periods. Participants should
select one of the following 8 events.
Time: AM sessions: 8:45-11:45 am / PM sessions: 2:30-5:30 pm
Event 1:
May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23 (Mon AM)
Date
26 May 2003
2 June 2003
9 June 2003
16 June 2003
23 June 2003
Event 2:
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 101, RUNME SHAW BUILDING, HKU
May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24 (Tue PM)
Date
27 May 2003
3 June 2003
10 June 2003
17 June 2003
24 June 2003
Event 3:
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 101, RUNME SHAW BUILDING, HKU
May 28, June 11, 18, 25, July 2 (Wed AM)
Date
28 May 2003
11 June 2003
18 June 2003
25 June 2003
2 July 2003
Event 4:
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 101, RUNME SHAW BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3 (Thu PM)
Date
5 June 2003
12 June 2003
19 June 2003
26 June 2003
3 July 2003
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
Event 5:
June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 4 (Fri PM)
Date
6 June 2003
13 June 2003
20 June 2003
27 June 2003
4 July 2003
Event 6:
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 101, RUNME SHAW BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
June 30, July 2, 3, 5, 7 (Mon, Wed, Thu and Sat AM)
Date
30 June 2003
2 July 2003
3 July 2003
5 July 2003
7 July 2003
Event 7:
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 103, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 5 (Sat AM)
Date
7 June 2003
14 June 2003
21 June 2003
28 June 2003
5 July 2003
Event 8:
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 104, RUNME SHAW BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 103, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 5 (Sat PM)
Date
7 June 2003
14 June 2003
21 June 2003
28 June 2003
5 July 2003
Venue
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 135, OLD LIBRARY BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 102, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
ROOM 103, HUI OI CHOW SCIENCE BUILDING, HKU
Important notes:
Participation in each course event is limited to 30 teachers. Each school can nominate 1-2
teachers.
To register, please complete the Nomination Form (Appendix 2) with the relevant section
filled in by the School Head and return it to TELEC on or before May 14, 2003.
Successful applicants will be notified on or before May 19, 2003.
For enquiries, please contact Ms. Kitty Chow of TELEC on 2859 2395, or by email at
hkchow@hkucc.hku.hk.