Transfer from the Task-based Classroom to the Real World: How Do ESL Students Reflect on their Learning by Doing Daily Survival Tasks?

Abstract

This study intends to examine to what extent Task-based classroom learning is applicable to the real world. To examine this, it first examines daily struggles of ESL learners and how they manage to survive in ESL context. Also, it investigates how ESL learners learn to communicate within a task-based class. Although students’ needs were solicited through questionnaire by asking the difficult situations to communicate, interviews with three participants were analyzed qualitatively. The results revealed that learners tended to limit themselves by doing something when they feel obstacles in communication, and that they are likely to have difficulties in telecommunication. Finally, the analysis revealed that they learn useful expressions mostly in pedagogical settings.