Task-based learning, the better way to learn
Language training has historically focused on classroom learning of vocabulary and grammatical structures. This tends to serve a few students well but leave everyone else frustrated at best or bored at worst.
At the other extreme, software-only systems leave far too much to the learner – and can’t change to reflect individual needs and abilities. Today, linguists agree that the best way of learning a language is by the Communicative Approach (first suggested by the father of modern linguistics, Noam Chomsky) supplemented by a more recent refinement known as Task-Based learning. This new approach focuses on dialogue and the use of authentic language, asking students to perform meaningful tasks using the language.
Our communicative, task-based approach combines the best of traditional classroom learning with a next-generation online learning environment to deliver faster progress than any other method.
Whether learners study online or in our Executive Language Institutes, they all benefit from a structured, blended curriculum that includes individual learning paths, great teachers and world-class content.
Our learning approach captures over 45 years of experience teaching English around the world, and reflects the academic rigor of the EF language research unit, run in collaboration with the University of Cambridge Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics.
The principles of our Task-based Learning Method
Most so-called ‘blended’ learning programs simply put together classroom time and software time.
We blend online and teacher-led experiences. So our Executive Language Schools can leverage our online environment and our Efekta™ cloud-school includes teacher-led conversation classes. So every learning path is truly blended for maximum effectiveness.
Here are the principles on which our learning approach is based:
Real teachers
People learn best from people. Technology can enable but it can’t do the whole job.
Our teachers work with our platform to make learning fun, engaging and ‘sticky’.
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Flexible paths
Make it easy to create different learning paths for every learner.
Our learning platform is designed to capture your current skill levels and goals, and then deliver a learning path tuned to you.
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Task-based progression
People learn better when they’re accomplishing something.
Task-based learning leads people through a series of business-relevant tasks that act as a ladder to proficiency.
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Tuned relevance
Offer content that matches what each learner needs to know.
Efekta™ tunes content for each learner to fit their needs as well as content specific to their industries (we call it SPIN).
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Managed motivation
It’s easy for motivation to waiver when learning gets challenging. But most programs ignore the motivation factor and leave learners to themselves.
Our coaches keep learners engaged and progressing, monitoring their participation and encouraging progress. |
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A focus on communication
A communicative language teaching approach is recognized by linguistics as the most effective way of learning a new language.
We leverage the power of this approach to accelerate language acquisition.
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