Task-based learning and the English speaking skill in students at Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo

Abstract

The research project “TASK-BASED LEARNING AND THE ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILL IN STUDENTS AT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CHIMBORAZO” aimed to analyze the relationship between Task – Based Learning and the English speaking skill. The research had a quali-quantitative approach. A field- experimental research study was carried out due to the fact the implementation was developed in each English class. The population consisted of A2 students who belong to the Language Center of Administrative and Political Science Faculty at Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. It was a bibliographical and field research. The instruments used for this research were a pre-test and a post-test that were applied in order to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of TBL to enhance the English speaking skill. To verify the hypothesis of this research the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test and the Wilcoxon Test were used. The results obtained show that Task- Based Learning fosters the English speaking skill. It is concluded that students had a significant improvement in their oral production after the implementation of tasks based on TBL.