Information-gap tasks

Cambridge Veritas · Original TESOL self-study resources

Understand the idea

An information gap gives partners different information that they need to combine. If both learners can see every answer, the task loses much of its reason for communication. Make instructions and the final outcome clear.

What you will practise

• Explain the key idea in “Information-gap tasks” using a concrete example.
• Choose a teaching response that fits the learner and the purpose.
• Identify evidence you could collect to evaluate that response.

A closer look at the teaching

Distribute information so partners need each other without making the task impossible to explain. Model one exchange and define the finished product. Keep answer sheets or full versions hidden until checking. Listening matters because an inaccurate transfer should produce a visible difference in the completed record.

A speaking lesson needs a reason to exchange meaning and an environment in which learners can attempt it. Plan information, opinion or decision gaps, offer suitable preparation and make listening part of the task. During practice, gather evidence about participation and useful language needs. Feedback should respond to the ideas as well as the language, followed by another opportunity to use an improvement in a related interaction.

In the classroom

Before choosing an activity, identify what the learner needs to understand or communicate. Separate the language demand from other demands such as reading instructions, managing equipment or speaking to a large group.

A teaching sequence you can adapt

Use these stages as a starting point for this topic. Keep the language goal visible, and change the support when learner responses show a different need.

1. 01

   State an outcome that requires learners to exchange information or negotiate a response.

2. 02

   Provide planning time, useful language and a brief model without scripting every turn.

3. 03

   Let learners interact while monitoring participation, understanding and a selected language focus.

4. 04

   Discuss the outcome, offer concise feedback and repeat a related exchange with changed information.

A common mistake to avoid

When reviewing the activity, distinguish what you observed from what you inferred. Use the task outcome and a fresh example to decide whether another explanation, a different scaffold or more independent practice is needed.

Adapt it for your learners

Keep the intended outcome consistent when comparing responses. Record which support was available so you do not confuse a supported performance with the same task completed independently.

Try it, then compare.

Take a moment to make your own decision. Compare your reasoning with the example, then adapt it for a teaching context you know.

Your questions, answered.

Quick revision

• The key idea: An information gap gives partners different information that they need to combine.
• The context to remember: Each learner has different missing details in a weekly timetable.
• A useful next step: Describe the setup and the evidence of success.

For your teaching portfolio: keep a brief plan, a note of what learners actually did and one change you would make next time. Use anonymous examples.

Sources and authorship

This module maps to the supplied syllabus PDF, Focus on speaking skills (4 pages). The study notes, examples, application tasks and self-checks on these pages are original Cambridge Veritas resources.

View the supplied PDF ↗ · Publication reference: source chapter

Written by Cambridge Veritas. Updated 10 November 2026.

Use these resources for preparation and reflection. Browser self-check results are for personal study and do not award a qualification or replace observed teaching practice.

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