In:Technology-mediated TBLT: Researching Technology and Tasks
Edited by Marta González-Lloret and Lourdes Ortega
[Task-Based Language Teaching 6] 2014
► pp. 295–322
Chapter 11. Evaluation of an online, task-based Chinese course
Published online: 24 July 2014
https://doi.org/10.1075/tblt.6.11nie
https://doi.org/10.1075/tblt.6.11nie
This chapter describes and evaluates an intermediate online, task-based Chinese course through an analysis of learner performance on the course tasks and assessments, including the performance-based assessments (PBAs) developed specifically for the course. After a brief consideration of online instruction and task-based language teaching (TBLT), the online TBLT course is described in some depth and the technology-mediated pedagogic tasks and associated PBAs are presented. The findings from these tasks and assessments are then reported, followed by a discussion of what the outcomes data revealed about online language instruction, TBLT, and technology-mediated tasks. The goal of this research is to evaluate this particular course in order to provide insights into how best to structure and assess learners during online foreign language classes, offering a model for instruction as well as empirical findings related to the effectiveness of both online and task-based foreign language courses.
References (47)
Bachman, L. (2002). Some reflections on task-based language performance assessment.
Language Testing
, 19, 453–476.
Blake, R. (2009). The use of technology for second language distance learning.
The Modern Language Journal
, 93, 822–835.
Blake, R., Wilson, N., Cetto, M., & Pardo-Ballester, C. (2008). Measuring oral proficiency in distance, face-to-face, and blended classrooms.
Language Learning & Technology
, 12(3), 114–127.
Bond, T. & Fox, C. (2007).
Applying the Rasch model: Fundamental measurement in the human sciences
. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Burwell, G., Nielson, K., & Gonzalez-Lloret, M. (2009, September).
Evaluating a TBLT Spanish immersion program
. Paper presented at the 3rd biennial conference on Task-Based Language Teaching, Lancaster, UK.
Carr, S. (2000). As distance education comes of age, the challenge is keeping up with the students.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
. Retrieved from <[URL]>
Compton, L. K. L. (2009). Preparing language teachers to teach language online: A look at skills, roles, and responsibilities.
Computer Assisted Language Learning
, 22, 73–99.
Fleming, S., Hiple, D., & Du, Y. (2002). Foreign language distance education at the University of Hawai’i. In C. A. Spreen, (Ed.),
New technologies and language learning: issues and options (Technical Report #25
) (pp. 13–54). Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai’i, Second Language Teaching & Curriculum Center.
Doughty, C., & Long, M. H. (2003). Optimal psycholinguistic environments for distance foreign language learning.
Language Learning & Technology
, 7(3), 50–80.
Doughty, C., & Varela, E. (1998). Communicative focus-on-form. In C. Doughty & J. Williams (Eds.),
Focus-on-form in classroom second language acquisition
(pp. 114–138). Cambridge, UK: CUP.
Doughty, C., & Williams, J. (1998).
Focus on form in classroom second language acquisition
. Cambridge, UK: CUP.
Gass, S. (1997).
Input, interaction, and the second language learner
. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
1998). Apples and oranges: Or, why apples are not oranges and don't need to be: A response to Firth and Wagner.
The Modern Language Journal
, 82, 83–90.
2003). Input and interaction. In C. Doughty & M. H. Long (Eds.),
Handbook of second language acquisition
(pp. 224–255). Oxford, UK: Basil Blackwell.
Gold, S. (2001). A constructivist approach to online training for online teachers.
Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks
, 5(1), 35–57.
Izumi, S. (2002). Output, input enhancement, and the noticing hypothesis.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition
, 24, 541–577.
Johnson, S. D., & Aragon, S. R. (2003). An instructional strategy framework for online learning environments.
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education
, 100, 31–43.
Lai, C., Zhao, Y. & Li, N. (2008). Designing a distance foreign language learning environment. In S. Goertler & P. Winke (Eds.),
Opening doors through distance language education: Principles, perspectives, and practices. CALICO Monograph Series
(Vol. 7, pp. 85–108). San Marcos, TX: Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium.
Linacre, J. M. (2011). Winsteps® (Version 3.72.0) [Software]. Retrieved from <[URL]>
Liu, X., Magjuka, R., Bonk, R. & Lee, S. (2007). Does sense of community matter? An examination of participants’ perceptions of building learning communities in online courses.
The Quarterly Review of Distance Education
, 8, 9–24.
Long, M. H. (1981). Input, interaction, and second language acquisition.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
, 379, 259–278.
1985). A role for instruction in second language acquisition: Task-based language teaching. In K. Hyltenstam & M. Pienemann (Eds.),
Modeling and assessing second language acquisition
(pp. 77–99). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
1991). Focus on form: A design feature in language teaching methodology. In K. de Bot, R. B. Ginsberg & C. Kramsch (Eds.),
Foreign language research in cross-cultural perspective
(pp. 39–52). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
1996). The role of the linguistic environment in second language acquisition. In W. Ritchie & T. Bhatia (Eds.),
Handbook of second language acquisition
(pp. 413–468). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Long, M. H., & Norris, J. M. (2000). Task-based teaching and assessment. In M. Byram (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of language teaching
(pp. 597–603). London, UK: Routledge.
Long, M. H., & Robinson, P. (1998). Focus on form: theory, research, and practice. In C. Doughty & J. Williams (Eds.),
Focus on form in classroom second language acquisition
(pp. 15–41). Cambridge, UK: CUP.
MacDonald, J. (2006).
Blended learning and online tutoring: A good practice guide
. Burlington, VT: Gower.
Menchaca, M., & Bekele, T. (2008). Learner and instructor identified success factors in distance education.
Distance Education
, 29, 231–252.
Mislevy, R. (October 2010,). What is the construct in task-based language assessment? Unpublished paper presented at the Language Testing and Assessment Colloquium at the Second Language Research Forum, College Park, MD.
Mislevy, R. L., Steinberg, L. S., & Almond, R. G. (2002). Design and analysis in task-based language assessment.
Language Testing
, 19, 477–96.
Newlin, M., & Wang, A. (2002). Integrating technology and pedagogy: Web instruction and seven principles of undergraduate education.
Teaching of Psychology
, 24, 325–330.
Ni, S., & Aust, R. (2008). Examining teacher verbal immediacy and sense of classroom community in online classes.
International Journal on E-Learning
7, 477–498.
Nielson, K., & Gonzalez-Lloret, M. (2010). Effective online foreign language classes: Theoretical framework and practical application.
EUROCALL Review
, 17. Retrieved from <[URL]>
Norris, J. (2002). Interpretations, intended uses and designs in task-based language assessment.
Language Testing
, 19, 337–346.
2009). Task-based teaching and testing. In M. H. Long & C. J. Doughty (Eds.),
Handbook of language teaching
(pp. 578–594). Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Oliver, R. (1995). Negative feedback in child NS-NNS conversation.
Studies in Second Language Acquisition
, 18, 459–481.
Robinson, P., & Ross, S. (1996). The development of task-based assessment in English for academic purposes contexts.
Applied Linguistics
17, 455–476.
Sadera, J., Robertson, J., Song, L. & Midon, N. (2009). The role of community in online learning success.
MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching
, 5, 277–284.
Skehan, P. (1998). A framework for the implementation of task-based instruction.
Applied Linguistics
, 17, 38–62.
Swain, M. (1985). Communicative competence: Some roles of comprehensible input and comprehensible output in its development. In S. Gass & C. Madden (Eds.),
Input in second language acquisition
(pp. 235–256). New York, NY: Newbury House.
Tyler-Smith, K. (2006). Early attrition among first time eLearners: A review of factors that contribute to drop-out, withdrawal and non-completion rates of adult learners undertaking eLearning programmes.
MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching
, 2, 73–85.
Van den Branden, K., Bygate, M., & Norris, J. M. (Eds.). (2009).
Task-based language teaching: A reader
. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
VanPatten, B., & Cadierno, T. (1993). Input processing and second language acquisition: A role for instruction.
The Modern Language Journal
, 77, 45–57.
White, C. (2006). State of the art review article: The distance learning of foreign languages.
Language Teaching
, 39, 247–264.
Cited by (34)
Cited by 34 other publications
Fujita, Takuro & Natsuko Shintani
Schenker, Theresa, Jorge Méndez‐Seijas & Julia Silvestri
Taguchi, Naoko & Shujing Zhao
Morgana, Valentina
Mohammad Javad Ahmadian & Michael H. Long
Nielson, Katharine B.
Bryfonski, Lara & Todd H. McKay
Egbert, Joy, Seyed Abdollah Shahrokni, Xue Zhang, David Herman, Intissar Yahia, Adnan Mohamed, Faraj M. Aljarih, Chioma Ezeh, Nataliia Borysenko & Sonia Lopez-Lopez
Ellis, Rod, Peter Skehan, Shaofeng Li, Natsuko Shintani & Craig Lambert
González‐Lloret, Marta
Ziegler, Nicole
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
[no author supplied]
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 5 december 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.
