Implementing Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) in Resource-Constrained Classrooms: Practices, Barriers, and Student Outcomes
Main Article Content
Abstract
Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) centers on meaningful, real-life tasks rather than rigid form-based exercises, offering strong theoretical and pedagogical benefits for second language acquisition. However, implementing TBLT in under-resourced, large EFL classrooms remains uneven due to inflexible curricula, material scarcity, and inadequate teacher training.
This study critically reviews empirical research from 2020 to 2024 to examine how EFL teachers navigate resource-constrained settings, the structural barriers they face, and the resulting linguistic and affective outcomes for students. The findings indicate that while TBLT significantly boosts student motivation, reading self-efficacy, and oral and writing skills, its success is frequently hindered by systemic and contextual constraints.
To overcome these challenges, the paper outlines evidence-based recommendations, including adaptive task design, targeted teacher professional development, and supportive policy reforms to ensure effective TBLT implementation despite resource scarcity.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Aljasir, N. (2024). Implementing task-based language teaching in Saudi EFL classrooms: An analysis of teacher beliefs and practices. International Journal of Teacher Education and Professional Development, 7(1). https://www.igi-global.com/article/implementing-task-based-language-teaching-in-saudi-efl-classrooms/354736
Bhandari, L. P. (2025). Technology-mediated task-based language teaching. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2560051
Bui, H. P. (2022). Students’ and teachers’ perceptions of effective ESP teaching. Heliyon, 8(12). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022019168
Chen, S. (2023). A study on the challenges of implementing task-based language teaching in Chinese EFL classrooms. Research in English Education, 8(2). https://en.front-sci.com/index.php/rerr/article/view/3844/4212
Duong, T. M. (2021). Implementing task-based language teaching in Vietnamese secondary schools: Challenges and strategies. TESL-EJ, 25(1). https://tesl-ej.org/wordpress/issues/volume25/ej98a4/
East, M. (2026). Supporting a task-based approach to Asian language teaching: Insights from a professional development programme. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07908318.2026.2614287
Elsakka, N. (2023). Task-based language teaching and Arabic as a foreign language [Doctoral dissertation, Florida International University]. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/record/14142
Hasnine, M. N. (2024). Developing Taskcave system for task-based language learning. Procedia Computer Science, 231. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187705092402252X
Khan, S. A. (2023). Authentic tasks designed for second-language learners [Master’s thesis, California State University]. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2764&context=etd
Khezrlou, S. (2026). Trainee EFL teachers’ development and implementation of tasks in young learner classrooms. ITL – International Journal of Applied Linguistics. https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/itl.25005.khe
Lam, H. T. L. (2021). University lecturers’ task-based language teaching beliefs and practices. Education Sciences, 11(11), 748. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/11/748
Li, C. (2020). A study of localization of task-based language teaching in Chinese EFL context. Beijing Foreign Studies University Journal. https://www.bfsujournals.com/upload/resources/file/2020/07/28/53864.pdf
Li, J. (2022). A study of pre-service teachers’ perceptions of task-based language teaching. Journal of Education for Teaching, 48(3). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02607476.2021.1989287
Li, L. (2024). Assessing task-based language needs of students of philosophy: Comparing teachers and students’ attitudes. Heliyon, 10(12). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024120142
Li, Y. (2025). Applying generative artificial intelligence to task-based language teaching. TechTrends. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11528-025-01140-7
Liu, Y. (2024). Task-based language teaching in a local EFL context: Teachers’ beliefs and practices. Language Teaching Research. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13621688211044247
Nguyen, M. X. N. C. (2023). Teacher learners theorizing from practice: A case of the task-based language teaching approach. Teaching and Teacher Education, 124. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X23001397
Nurhadi, K. (2024). EFL teachers and students enacting technology-mediated task-based language teaching. ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED673099.pdf
Roiha, A. (2025). Pre-service language teachers’ perceptions of teaching and learning. Journal of Education for Teaching, 51(3). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10476210.2025.2555217
Shehadeh, A. (2024). It is a task, not an exercise: What is the difference? System, 124. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0346251X24000812
Shih, Y. (2025). Task-based language teaching and English for academic purposes: Challenges and effectiveness. Contact Magazine. https://contact.teslontario.org/task-based-language-teaching-and-english-for-academic-purposes-challenges-and-effectiveness/
Spada, N. (2022). Reflecting on task-based language teaching from an instructed SLA perspective. Language Teaching, 55(1). https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-teaching/article/reflecting-on-taskbased-language-teaching-from-an-instructed-sla-perspective/0FF54C58724B890F15C5E6E53C782EFD
Teng, M. F. (2025). Communicative and task-based language teaching. The Language Learning Journal, 53(2). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09571736.2025.2572673
Wei, R. (2024). Effects of task-based language teaching on functional adequacy in L2 writing. Journal of Second Language Writing, 64. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S107529352400031X
Wordofa, Y. J. (2025). Transforming reading self-efficacy in EFL classrooms through task-based instruction. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215039025000207
Yu, W. (2022). The effect of task-based language teaching on students’ oral English skills. Frontiers in Educational Research, 5(14). https://dx.doi.org/10.25236/FER.2022.051413
Zhang, D. (2025). Task-based teaching method in English language education using AI. Journal of Second Language Writing. https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1548109325000348