In this lecture, hosted by the Penn State Language Teaching and Learning Group, Dr. Lara Bryfonski (Georgetown University) will explore some of the foundational theories of task-based language teaching (TBLT) and highlight current trends and challenges, such as the impacts of COVID-19 on language learning and teaching. The talk will begin with an introduction to the various frameworks proposed for organizing task-based education and an overview of the main components of a TBLT program. Next, she will present on recent research investigating the role of teachers and teacher training in the TBLT implementation process, including the results of task-based teacher training program delivered online during the pandemic. The talk will end with a discussion of the challenges of translating TBLT research findings to diverse pedagogical contexts including computer-mediated and online contexts. This talk will be followed by a hands-on, interactive workshop on January 23, designed to provide language teachers and researchers the opportunity to apply concepts from the presentation to their own teaching or research domains.

Lara Bryfonski is assistant professor of linguistics at Georgetown University where she conducts research on second language acquisition and task-based language teaching and learning. She has published and presented her research on a variety of topics in second language acquisition, including task-based language teaching, corrective feedback, materials development, language learning in study abroad, and methods for second language research. Her publications appear in journals such as Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Language Teaching Research, and the Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, as well as a variety of edited collections. Lara is a former ESL/EFL teacher and has taught language students from preschool to adulthood in a variety of contexts in the United States and abroad. She is an experienced teacher trainer and has worked with NGOs, public and private schools, governmental and financial organizations, and universities to provide research-based training in language teaching.

For the Zoom link, please contact Julia Goetze at jzg5860@psu.edu.