From Classroom to Community: Using Authentic Language Tasks to Increase Student Engagement and Real-World Communication Skills

About

Poster Presentation

Presenters: Dr. Debora B. R. Zamorano, Department of Chicano Studies and Languages and Linguistics

This interactive workshop explores how instructors can design authentic language tasks that engage students while developing practical communication skills needed beyond the classroom.

Participants will experience several classroom-ready activities that simulate real-life language use, including community-based projects, digital storytelling, interviews, workplace communication scenarios, and culturally relevant problem-solving tasks. The session will also demonstrate alternative assessment strategies that measure meaningful language performance rather than isolated grammar knowledge.

• Authentic Task Lesson Template – a one-page planning sheet with sections for Goal, Audience, Real-World Task, Language Focus, and Reflection.

• Sample Authentic Activities Handout – 5–10 ready-to-use activities (community interviews, surveys, podcasts, business reviews, service-learning projects).

• Student Reflection Sheet – questions students answer after completing an authentic task.

• Assessment Rubric – a simple rubric focused on communication effectiveness, audience awareness, collaboration, and language use.

• Authentic Materials Resource List – websites, podcasts, social media accounts, newspapers, and community resources that can be incorporated into language lessons.