Language Use, Holistic Activity and Second Language Learning

Abstract

In talking about the role of tasks in second language learning, our starting point is the assumption that the aim of second/foreign language teaching is to develop the ability to use the target language. By ‘use’ we mean that the language is used not only to practise or show mastery, but also for information (personal and professional), for social, political and artistic purposes, as well as for aesthetic pleasure. One way of engaging language use is through holistic activity.