The Future of Education

The research is a pilot study that evaluates the application of task-based activities with Web 2.0 tools in second language acquisition. The research project focuses on the delivery of instructional content with task-based activities in a basic Spanish language course and the integration of technological tools to promote language competence. The task-based activities are designed to facilitate the development of language production in real life situations. These task-based activities are developed to foster an interactive student-centered environment to encourage student participation, commitment and responsibility as well as to promote students’ autonomy in their own learning. The participants in the study employed technological resources available inside and outside the classroom to practice writing, reading, listening and speaking skills in the target language. Two kinds of data were collected and analyzed for the study: These are the responses from the participants from written questionnaires and oral interviews, as well as the instructor’s observation from the participants' participation in their task-based assignments. Data collection was evaluated to assess the students’ academic progress in second language learning. Preliminary data shows that students improved their writing skills and reading skills as well as their listening and speaking skills in Spanish.

Keywords: Second Language Acquisition, Web 2.0 Technology Tools, Task-Based Activities, Student-Centered Environment;