Taxonomy of tasks

1. Dan Levy & Krisztian Varga
Taxonomy of tasks – Unit 4A of New English File Upper Intermediate
Key for skills focus:
Grammar
Vocabulary
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Pronunciation
Writing
Unit 4A – Would you get out alive?
Ex 1 Speaking and Reading (establish topic and develop context)
a Lead in discussion (activate students’ schemata, generate interest)
b Gist questions (skimming, checking students’ comprehension)
c jigsaw reading (encourage peer-communication, problem solving)
d (scanning) reading for specific detail (true or false)
e guessing meaning of words from context (reinforce new vocabulary, problem solving)
f discussion (practice productive skills, guided speaking practice)
Ex 2 Vocabulary (feelings)
a matching exercise – words to definitions (might be publisher’s requirement)
b vocabulary bank (extra resource, not to overload the page, helping teachers to be flexible with the content,
encourage learner’s autonomy, could also be publishers’ requirement)
c elicit vocabulary from pictures (helping to memorise vocab by adding visuals, publishers’ requirement to have
pics supporting the exercises)
d discussion (practice productive skills, guided speaking practice)
Ex 3 Grammar
a sentence comparison to decipher difference in meaning (model sentences for language analysis, also
possible questions to use for controlled and guided speaking practice)
b underline correct verb form (noticing, making students be aware of form of Target language)
c gap fill (standard, could be a requirement from the publisher as per Paul?)
d grammar bank and exercises (extension of grammar activity, publishers’ requirement?)
Ex 4 Pronunciation
a matching exercise – listening (publishers) and writing (doctor-gloss?)
b listen and check (class feedback+)

2. Dan Levy & Krisztian Varga
c listen, underline stressed words and repeat (suprasegmental phonology)
d writing chains (practice productive skills, guided writing practice)
Ex 5 Reading and Listening
a discussion (activate students’ schemata, practice productive skills, guided speaking practice)
b gist questions/discussion questions (practice productive skills, guided speaking practice)
c listening for detail questions (practice receptive skills)/discussion questions (practice productive skills, guided
speaking practice)
d underline unknown words from tapescript
e discussion (open task, practice productive skills, guided speaking practice)
Ex 6 Song
I will survive – gap fill (reward, end of unit activity, something to do on a Friday of to lighten up the lesson)