Integrating digital tools in task design: Insights from primary school EFL teachers

Research on task-based language teaching (TBLT) has gained significant attention in recent years, yet studies on task design have primarily focused on manipulating task variables for research purposes. Little is known about teachers’ design processes, their choices, and how they balance design variables for pedagogical tasks. This study investigates task design processes in primary school contexts using an innovative web-based design tool. Thirty-five primary school teachers participated, with their design activities captured through think-aloud protocols. This approach provided a detailed view of teachers’ strategies, challenges, and iterative refinements during task creation. The findings reveal previously undocumented aspects of task design, including how teachers navigate the task cycle, their cognitive processes during design, and the 18 micro-stages involved in the task design process. Additionally, the results highlight teachers’ attention to linguistic features within their tasks and their choice of Focus on Form techniques. The study underscores the complexity of task design and highlights the potential of web-based tools and think-aloud methodologies for examining authentic pedagogical practices. These insights have implications for teacher education and professional development, offering guidance to enhance task design skills and support digital integration in teaching practices.