Is a TRULY task-based curriculum possible? - Claudia Fernandez
Book a free 1:1 chat with us to talk about your teaching business.
From beginner to intermediate in 9 months: yes, it's possible and Claudia Fernandez tells us how.
Claudia runs her Spanish program at the University of Illinois-Chicago using a task-based curriculum. One result was bringing fifteen A1 students to intermediate over 9 months. She shares her story and how others can do the same.
At the University of Illinois-Chicago, Claudia is a Clinical Associate Professor, where she directs the Spanish Basic Language Program using a task-based curriculum. Her research and teaching focus on task-based language teaching, materials development, and classroom-based language acquisition. She is an award-winning educator, published author, and active contributor to both national and international professional organizations in the field of language education.
In this episode, we dive into:
Implementing task-based language teaching from scratch
Why there is still pushback against TBLT
Mindset shifts every institution needs
Aligning tasks with assessments
Claudia’s experience of helping students go from absolute beginner to intermediate in 9 months
Effective task design
How learners acquire grammar through input-based approaches
Instruction habits that get in the way of learning
How to create needs analyses in task-based learning
FOR MORE FROM CLAUDIA FERNANDEZ:
3. Her publication on moving from grammar to proficiency-driven programs
Podcast Creation:
This episode was created with support from My Speaking Score.
Help your students get their desired TOEFL speaking score
Take a test. Get your results. Boost your score. Your student’s 3-step plan to a 26 on TOEFL speaking. The partner every test-prep teacher needs. Trusted by over 100,000 TOEFL test takers.
Want to help your learners with TOEFL? Check out My Speaking Score: https://www.myspeakingscore.com/
Watch the Video Version of our Podcast
Want to teach less, earn more, and create your lifestyle business?
Apply to our Teacher Accelerator Program
The Teacher Accelerator Program
Want to design your own course, teach what you’re passionate about, and gain stability in your business?
Ways we at LYE can help you right now:
1. 5IN30: GET 5 CLIENTS IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS
2. SANDBOX YOUR OWN COURSE IDEAS IN OUR FREE SUPPORT COMMUNITY FOR TEACHERPRENEURS.
3. MAP YOUR FIRST COURSE IN 60 MINUTES OR LESS - YOUR FREE GUIDE HERE
4. SEE OUR FREE GUIDES FOR TEACHERS STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS
5. TRY OUR TAP PROGRAM FREE FOR 7 DAYS
6. CPD: TEACHING LISTENING MADE EASY
7. FOLLOW US ON IG: @LEARNYOURENGLISH
About Claudia Fernandez
Claudia R. Fernández (Ph.D., University of Illinois-Chicago) is Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) where she also directs the Spanish Basic Language Program under a task-based curriculum.
In addition to regularly teaching Spanish as an additional language and courses on Linguistics, she has served as an AP Reader, ACTFL teacher mentor, OPI test rater, and study abroad program director. Her research interests focus on how languages are learned in the classroom, particularly on task-based language teaching, materials research, and processing instruction.
She is the author of Input destacado y adquisición de la gramática (Arco/Libros, S.L), co-editor of Using Language Learning Materials: Theory and Practice (Cambridge Scholars Publishing), and contributor of the textbooks Aula en acción (Klett World Languages). Other of her scholarly work has been published in several edited volumes and academic journals. She regularly presents at national and international conferences and gives talks and workshops in language teaching and learning.
She currently serves as a member of the Executive Council of the AATSP Chicago Area Chapter and as Ordinary Member of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Task-Based Language Teaching. She was one of the fellows of the UIC Action Research Program in 2023-24, the recipient of the 2023 UIC Teaching Recognition Program Award for Excellence in Teaching, and she is the current recipient of the AATSP Teacher of the Year Award-Higher Education (4yrs) and the IATBLT Distinguished Practitioner Award. She lives in Chicago with her husband, her two dogs and her cat.
As always, thank you for listening. Your support has been overwhelming and we couldn't do what we do without you. We hope this podcast serves as an effective CPD tool for you.
If you have a comment or question about today's show, we'd love to hear from you: info@learnyourenglish.com
