Task Details
Dating task instructions and materials
Title
Dating in Dutch: An Argumentative Task
In this task the learner does...
In the dating argumentative tasks, learners try to decide which contestants on a dating show would make the best couple.
Task Flow
Other - Standalone task (Used for task complexity research)
Language Characteristics
Non-linguistic outcome
Focus on meaning
Communicative gap
Reliance on learners' own resources
Task Goals
To describe an object, person or place
To make a decision or choice
To reach an agreement
To formulate an argument
Language Skills Practiced
Speaking/Pronunciation
Listening
Reading
General Domain
Educational
General Topic
The task centers around comparing which people on a dating show are most compatible given their personal characteristics.
Target Languages
Dutch
Abilities Fostered
Linguistic competence (ability to communicate with grammatical accuracy)
Discourse competence (ability to communicate in cohesive and coherent ways)
Strategic competence (ability to solve communication issues as they arise)
Cognitive Skills
Comparing
Establishing relationships and associations
Explaining
Mode of Communication
Face-to-face (in person)
Digital (online)
Hybrid of face-to-face and in person
Other - This was originally implemented with individual learners or pairs of learners.
Synchronous
Type of Participation
Individual performance
Pair work
Focused or Unfocused
Unfocused task (no specific language focus)
Input/Output
Input providing
Output prompting
Kind of Input
Original/educational (input created by teachers for L2 students)
Output Type
Fluency
Accuracy
Complexity
Functional adequacy
Type of Input
Aural (listening) input
Pictorial input
Written input
Type of Output
Oral output
Type of Task
Argumentation/Debate
One-way
Two-way
Comparing and Contrasting
Decision-making
Opinion-gap
Task Features/Conditions
Planning time
Numerous elements - Six contestants in the complex task and four contestants in the simple task
Reasoning demands
One-way information flow (monologic)
Two/multiple-way information flow (dialogic)
Stand-alone task
Equal participant status/knowledge required/assumed
Outcome
Open solution
Convergent outcome
Appropriate Learners
18-22 years
22-40 years
Proficiency Framework
No - I didn't follow a particular framework
Proficiency Levels
Low intermediate
Mid intermediate
High intermediate
Learner Individual Differences
Literate learners
Second/additional language learners
Other - Learners were attending or had finished higher levels of education.
Context
School setting -
Research setting -
Context Details
Task-supported program
Used in Research?
Yes
Citation
This argumentative dating task could be completed individually or in pairs. The task originally took place with second language learners of Dutch. Michel, M.C. (2011). Effects of task complexity and interaction on L2-performance. In P. Robinson (Ed.), Second language task complexity: Researching the Cognition Hypothesis of language learning and performance (pp. 141-1173). John Benjamins Publishing Company. Also, in: Michel, M. (2013). Effects of task complexity on the use of conjunctions in L2 task performance. The Modern Language Journal, 97(1), 178-195.
Available on IRIS?
Yes - https://www.iris-database.org/iris/app/home/detail?id=york%3a795877&ref=search
Part of a series?
Yes (please provide details) This dating couple task was also implemented in conjunction with a similar study exchange couple task.
Uploader Name
Marije Michel
Uploader Affiliation
Task Bank Assistant
Uploader Identity
Other - Task Bank Assistant - Derek Reagan
Uploader Relationship
Other - Created and Used by Marije Michel (uploaded by Derek Reagan)
Creative Commons
Agreed