Investigating EFL Teachers' Perception on Task-based Language Teaching for Speaking Skills

The capacity to communicate in English expands opportunities for acquiring and enriching knowledge, extending social life, and interacting with more people from all over the world. However, due to a lack of expertise and confidence, students have difficulty expressing their ideas in the target language. The study aimed to ascertain EFL teachers' perceptions of the benefits and problems associated with enhancing students' speaking abilities through task-based language instruction (TBLT). The study employed a qualitative descriptive approach, involving an interview and the distribution of a questionnaire. The interview provided the primary data, while the questionnaire provided the secondary data. Ten English instructors from a school in North Sumatera were purposefully chosen for their experience utilizing TBLT to improve students' speaking abilities. The qualitative analysis of this study found that teachers had a favorable perception of TBLT implementation. They acknowledged that TBLT helps their teaching practice by encouraging students to engage in active practice and participation in completing communicative activities in the target language. However, difficulties arise in teachers' inventiveness in devising communicative assignments that match the students' requirements and expectations, given their diverse backgrounds and occupations.