The Role of Task-Based Language Teaching in Fostering Tunisian Pre-service Primary School Teachers’ Functional Competence

Abstract

This exploratory practice study, conducted at the Higher Institute of Human Sciences of Jendouba and the Higher Institute of Languages of Gabès, Tunisia, investigated the impact of task-based language teaching (TBLT) on pre-service teachers’ functional competence and explored both teachers’ and students’ perceptions of TBLT in their English courses. Data came primarily from classroom observations and focus-group interviews. Findings suggest that TBLT fostered pre-service teachers’ functional competence in English. Both teachers and students reported that TBLT helped improve learners’ linguistic and communicative skills.

Keywords

• communication skills
• functional competence
• TBLT
• tasks
• Tunisian pre-service teachers