Map Task

speakinglisteningcommunicationmainpairsmedium prep15-20 minTBLT

One student describes a route on a map; the other traces or draws it on their blank version, then they switch roles.

Procedure

Give Student A a map with a marked route and a clear "start here" arrow.
Give Student B the same map without the route.
A describes the route; B follows with a finger or draws it in pencil. B can ask clarification questions.
At the end, B marks the final point clearly.
Switch roles with a different route.
Compare maps at the end and discuss any divergence.

Use simple street maps of real or imaginary towns, or maps of rural areas. Add place names suitable for your class.
To make easier: add more street names and reference points (named buildings, landmarks).
To make harder: introduce small differences between the two maps (a slightly different name, a missing detail) to force extra negotiation.
Widely used in SLA research for measuring interaction quality — the Map Task paradigm (Anderson et al.) underpins much of the interactionist corpus.
Works well online: display the map in Word or PowerPoint, and the listener uses a virtual pen to mark the route. The route can be easily erased for role switching.

One student describes a route on a map; the other traces or draws it on their blank version, then they switch roles.

Give Student A a map with a marked route and a clear "start here" arrow.
Give Student B the same map without the route.
A describes the route; B follows with a finger or draws it in pencil. B can ask clarification questions.
At the end, B marks the final point clearly.
Switch roles with a different route.
Compare maps at the end and discuss any divergence.

Use simple street maps of real or imaginary towns, or maps of rural areas. Add place names suitable for your class.
To make easier: add more street names and reference points (named buildings, landmarks).
To make harder: introduce small differences between the two maps (a slightly different name, a missing detail) to force extra negotiation.
Widely used in SLA research for measuring interaction quality — the Map Task paradigm (Anderson et al.) underpins much of the interactionist corpus.
Works well online: display the map in Word or PowerPoint, and the listener uses a virtual pen to mark the route. The route can be easily erased for role switching.