Using task-based learning to develop grade 10 students' English speaking skill

The purposes of this study were: 1) to study how task-based learning have an effect on students’ English speaking skill, and 2) to investigate students’ opinions toward task-based learning. The participants were 12 grade 10 students at Khongchiam Wittayakom School. The research instruments were pre, post speaking tests, and opinion questionnaire, TBL activities checklists. The pre-speaking test and post-speaking test were the same. Before the lesson started, each participant had to do pre speaking-test which was face to face interview. After that students were participated in three TBL lessons. The topics of the three speaking lesson plans were about 1) Our Ideal Timetable, 2) Our Own Dishes, 3) Our Ideal Hometown. At the end of each lesson, students were asked to rate TBL activities checklists in order to find their most favorite task. After students learned with task-based learning, they were asked to answer the post-speaking test. After they completed the post speaking-test, the questionnaire was distributed to them. A t-test was used to compare the mean score between pre-speaking test and post speaking test. The results of the research showed that students’ English speaking skill were improved after learning with task-based learning approach and students had positive opinion toward learning English through TBL approach.