The Effectiveness of Task-Based Learning Approach (TBL) on Developing Communication Skills in English for the Saudi EFL Preparatory Year Students.

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using task-based learning on developing communication skills in English for the first year university students
The researcher employed a sample of (100) EFL learners studying at a university in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. The researcher chose two classes: one class was as an experimental group consisting of (50) students and the second one was as a control group consisting of (50) students. The traditional method was used in teaching the control group, while the task-based learning approach was used with the experimental one in the first term of the academic year (2019-2020).
The researcher used three tools: an interview to find out the level of the students in communication skills, a test (pre & post-test), and an observation card to measure the communication skills of the students. The collected data were analyzed and treated statistically. T-test and the effect size equation were used to measure the effect size of task-based learning approach on the experimental group in each domain of the test.