I would like to share the findings of my action research project titled
“Using Task-Based Learning to Master Conditional Sentences.” This work was conducted at
Secondary School №19, Semey (Abai region) within the KazTEA & British Council Teaching English programme.
1. Why I Chose This TopicWhen teaching grammar, especially conditional sentences, I noticed several challenges:
- Students often memorized rules but couldn’t use them in real situations.
- Engagement during grammar lessons was low.
- Learners confused conditional types and struggled to apply them meaningfully.
I wanted to find an approach that would make grammar
practical, communicative, and motivating, so I decided to explore
Task-Based Learning (TBL).2. Aim of the ResearchTo investigate whether
TBL tasks can improve 9th-grade students’ ability to understand and use:
- Zero Conditional
- First Conditional
- Second Conditional
- Third Conditional
The focus was on
real communication, not isolated grammar exercises.
3. What I DidI designed a sequence of TBL lessons where each type of conditional was practiced through a meaningful task:
- Zero Conditional: Students created classroom survival rules using facts and habits.
- First Conditional: Students developed survival plans for natural disasters.
- Second Conditional: Students discussed hypothetical future dilemmas and made decisions.
- Third Conditional: Students reconstructed historical events with alternative outcomes.
Students also completed:
- Self-assessment forms
- Task reflection sheets
- Feedback questionnaires
This helped them reflect on their learning and helped me monitor progress.
4. What I FoundThe results were very positive:
Engagement increased
Students became much more motivated when grammar was part of a meaningful task instead of isolated drills.
Accuracy improved
Students' correct use of conditionals increased noticeably, especially in longer speaking and writing tasks
Confidence grew
Learners reported that they could now use grammar “to express ideas,” not just to pass a test.
Collaboration strengthened
Group tasks encouraged teamwork, peer correction, and discussion.
5. My ConclusionTask-Based Learning is an effective approach for teaching conditional sentences because:
- It integrates grammar with communication.
- It encourages critical thinking and creativity.
- It helps students understand the meaning behind each conditional.
- It develops real-life language skills.
This research confirmed that when students use language for a purpose, learning becomes deeper, more natural, and more enjoyable.
