Balancing an EFL EAP Course with the Four Strands
Nation (2009) proposes a “four strands” approach to balance tasks in courses and lessons. The four strands are meaning-focused input, meaning-focused output, language-focused learning and fluency practice. The presenter will demonstrate the rationale for the four strands, will give examples of tasks and lesson and course plans. Finally, he will explain how he implemented this approach in a English for academic purposes (EAP) course in an EFL setting at a Japanese university and report on the feedback from the students in the course. Participants will be encouraged to join the discussion and to ask questions.