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The task-based approach

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What is task-based learning?

Task-based learning is, at its simplest level, learning English through the process of completing a task (read activity). This approach to learning encourages discovery of language, and also a more independent approach to learning. However its is clear from watching various clips on the internet that task-based learning is interpreted in different ways; many clips show versions of lessons which have some task-based learning characteristics, but often they seem to miss the point of this approach. I am a great fan of task-based learning, and the aim of this article is to present this approach to teaching clearly, so as many teachers as possible can try it out.

The present perfect

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This page is an exploration of the present perfect. The main meanings are listed below, so if you wish to click on one particular meaning, you can jump to that section by clicking one the word below. In some cases I have contrasted the present perfect with the past simple to highlight the difference between the tenses.

Russia-who'd go there?

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"From your special envoy on the Eastern Front, a few random facts and remarks on what life is like as a TEFL worker in Russia.''

TEFL survival-do I need to do a TEFL course?

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How many times have I seen people whingeing on forums about doing a weekend course. 'If only I’d known,' they cry! You don’t need to do a weekend TEFL course, I’ve wasted my money! I could have got a job without this TEFL weekend malarkey!

Remembering that Grammar!

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Grammar, grammar, grammar! It was one component which was brushed over, and then under the table on my CELTA course years ago. We, the students, were supposed to learn all those grammatical terms by studying books, but somehow it was incredibly difficult to remember all those terms: present perfect, present continuous, present perfect continuous, past perfect…It left me baffled, bewildered, and befuddled! So how do you learn these terms, or even understand what on earth they refer to?