IATBLT AWARDS - Call for nominations
The Executive Board of the International Association for Task-based Language Teaching (IATBLT) is pleased to invite nominations for the IATBLT Distinguished Achievement Award. IATBLT members are invited to nominate individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of task-based language education (research, teaching, assessment, materials development, etc.).
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The winner of the award will be presented with an award of €1000 (funded independently by the IATBLT) and a certificate at the 11th International IATBLT Conference in Groningen, The Netherlands in April, 2025. Attendance to the conference is not mandatory but confirmation of in-person attendance would be greatly appreciated.
Distinguished Practitioner Award
2025
The Executive Board of the International Association for Task-based Language Teaching (IATBLT) is pleased to invite nominations for the IATBLT Distinguished Practitioner Award. IATBLT members are invited to nominate individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of TBLT in practice.
The winner of the award will be presented with an award of €1000 (funded independently by the IATBLT) and a certificate at the 11th International IATBLT Conference in Groningen, The Netherlands in April 2025.
Attendance to the conference is not mandatory but confirmation of in-person attendance would be greatly appreciated.
The Executive Board of the International Association for Task-based Language Teaching (IATBLT) is pleased to invite nominations for the IATBLT Research Article Award. This award is given biennially for an article that makes a significant contribution to the field of task-based language teaching (TBLT).
Members of IATBLT may nominate articles published in refereed journals or as book chapters published in the years 2023 and 2024. The winner will be presented with an award of €500 (funded independently by the IATBLT) and a certificate at the 11th International IATBLT Conference in Groningen, The Netherlands in April 2025. Attendance to the conference is not mandatory but confirmation of in-person attendance would be greatly appreciated.
Underrepresented Scholar
Award
2025
The Executive Board of the International Association for Task-based Language Teaching (IATBLT) is pleased to invite applications to the IATBLT Underrepresented Scholars Awards. IATBLT members who are residents in a “low-income” or in a “low-middle-income economy” country (as defined by the World Bank classification of economies) and have had an abstract accepted for presentation at the 11th International Conference on Task-based Language Teaching in Groningen, The Netherlands, are invited to apply.
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The Executive Board will select up to two award recipients who will receive complimentary registration to the conference.
2025 Award winners
2025
TBLT Distinguished Achievement Award
We are honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Pauline Foster for her exceptional and lasting contributions to Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). Her pioneering work in task design, speech analysis, and performance measurement has profoundly shaped the field. Beyond her influential research, Professor Foster has been a dedicated mentor and leader, inspiring scholars worldwide and strengthening the global TBLT community through her tireless efforts. Her legacy is one of innovation, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to advancing language education.
2025
Best Article Award
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ali Shehadeh is the recipient of this year’s Research Article Award for his outstanding contribution to Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). His article, “It is a task, not an exercise: What is the difference?” (System, 2024), offers a clear and original analysis of the crucial distinction between tasks and exercises—an issue long recognized but seldom addressed in depth. By identifying ten key differences through practical scenarios, Dr. Shehadeh provides valuable insights that enhance both theory and classroom application. We congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.
Here is the link to his article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0346251X24000812
2025
Best Practitioner
We are proud to present the Distinguished Practitioner's Award to Dr. Claudia Fernández for her exceptional leadership in implementing Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) in real-world settings. Dr. Fernández has developed a fully task-based Spanish curriculum at a major R1 university, setting a new standard for innovation in language education. Through her textbooks, publications, and mentorship, she has empowered educators to apply TBLT effectively and sustainably. Her impact extends across classrooms, institutions, and professional communities, making her a true champion of task-based pedagogy.
2025 Underrepresented Scholar Award
We are delighted to present the Underrepresented Scholar Award to Ancheri Götze in recognition of her remarkable trajectory and promising future in Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). From innovative uses of Instagram for mobile-assisted learning to the development of an app for grammar support in Afrikaans, Ancheri’s work reflects a deep commitment to accessible, tech-driven language education. Her dedication to bridging theory, practice, and technology stood out to the committee, and we are proud to support her continued growth and contributions to the TBLT community.