INTEGRATING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING INTO ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES CLASSES AT TERTIARY LEVEL: PERCEIVED CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS
Main Article Content
Abstract
In the last decade, EFL educators have attempted to experiment with various teaching methods to discover more effective ways of teaching and learning English, including English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Such methods as outcome-based learning (OBL), project-based learning (PBL), or cooperative learning (CBL) have received a lot of attention. Investigating the benefits and challenges of these methods in different contexts is really necessary. The current exploratory study, therefore, aimed to explore students’ perceived challenges and benefits of integrating PBL into ESP classes with the ‘English for marketing’ course designed for students majoring in Business English at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH). With the participation of 64 fourth-year students and the employment of three main data collection instruments including the questionnaire, student interviews and journals, the findings of the study reveal that the integration of PBL into ESP classes has brought more benefits to the students than challenges. Specifically, they could enhance their language and content knowledge, workplace-related skills, self-responsibility and motivation. Meanwhile, they mainly encountered challenges related to classmates such as lack of skills, English proficiency, and negative attitudes. It is expected that the findings of the study would partly contribute to the existing knowledge of the study field and shed light on the role of PBL in ESP education at HUTECH in particular and at the Vietnamese tertiary level in general.
Article Details
Keywords
integration, project-based learning, ESP class, benefit, challenge
References
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Alsamani, A. S., & Daif-Allah, A. S. (2016). Introducing project-based instruction in the Saudi ESP classroom: A study in Qassim University. English Language Teaching, 9(1), 51-64.
Anthony, L. (2018). Introducing English for specific purposes. Routledge.
Barron, B. J. S. (1998). Doing with understanding: Lessons from research on problem- and project-based learning. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 7(3, 4), 271-311.
Basturkmen, H. (2006). Ideas and options in English for specific purposes. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Basturkmen, H. (2010). Developing courses in English for specific purposes. Palgrave Macmillan.
Beckett, G. H. (2002). Teacher and student evaluations of project-based instruction. TESL Canada Journal, 19(2), 52-66.
Beckett, G. H., & Miller, P. C. (2006). Project-based second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future. Information Age Publishing.
Beckett, G. H., & Slater, T. (2005). The project framework: A tool for language, content, and skills integration. ELT Journal, 59(2), 108-116.
Benson, P. (2005). Autonomy in language teaching. Beijing Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
Blank, W. (1997). Authentic instruction. In W. E. Blank & S. Harwell (Eds.), Promising practices for connecting high school to the real world (pp. 15-21). University of South Florida.
Block, J. (2015, February 26). 5 PBL best practices for redefining the teachers’ role. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/pbl-practices-redefining-teachers-role-josh-block
Bradley-Levine, J., & Mosier, G. (2014). Literature review on project-based learning. University of Indianapolis.
Day, J., & Krzanowski, M. (2011). Teaching English for specific purposes: An introduction. Cambridge University Press.
Díaz Ramírez, M. I. (2014). Developing learner autonomy through project work in an ESP class. HOW, A Colombian Journal for Teachers of English, 21(2), 54-73.
Devkota, S. P., Giri, D. R., & Bagale, S. (2017). Developing 21st century skills through project-based learning in EFL context: Challenges and opportunities. The Online Journal of New Horizons in Education, 7(1), 47-52.
Dudley-Evans, T., & St John, M. J. (1998). Developments in English for specific purposes: A multi-disciplinary approach. Cambridge University Press.
Efendi, T. A. (2017). The students’ perceptions of the implementation of ICT-supported project based learning in English teaching. IJET, 6(2), 167-183.
Farouck, I. (2016). A project-based language learning model for improving the willingness to communicate of EFL students. Systematics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 14(2), 11-18.
Fried-Booth, D. L. (2002). Project work (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Guo, S., & Yang, Y. (2012). Project-based learning: An effective approach to link teacher professional development and students learning. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 5(2), 41-56.
Haines, S. (1989). Projects for the EFL classroom: Resource material for teachers. Nelson.
Harwell, S. (1997). Project-based learning. In W. E. Blank & S. Harwell (Eds.), Promising practices for connecting high school to the real world (pp. 23-28). University of South Florida.
Hutchinson, T., & Waters, A. (1987). English for specific purposes: A learning-centred approach. Cambridge University Press.
Huzairin, D, Sudirman, & Hasan, B. (2018). Developing English learning model project based content and language integrated learning (CLIL) for English at university level in Indonesia. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(11), 371-384.
Jendrych, E. (2013). Developments in ESP teaching. Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric, 34(47), 43-58.
Johnson, D., & Johnson, R. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research. Interaction Book Company.
Ke, L. (2010). Project-based college English: An approach to teaching non-English majors. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 33(4), 99-112.
Kelsen, B. (2004). Target language use and performance in project-based language learning (PBLL). The Journal of Asia TEFL, 15(1), 199-207.
Kırkgöz, Y. (2014). Students’ perceptions of English language versus Turkish language used as the medium of instruction in higher education in Turkey. Turkish Studies, 9(12), 443-459.
Kırkgöz, Y., & Dikilitaş, K. (2018). Recent developments in ESP/EAP/EMI contexts. In Y. Kırkgöz & K. Dikilitaş (Eds.), Key issues in English for specific purposes in higher education (pp. 1-10). Springer.
Kirschner, P. A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R. E. (2006). Why minimal guidance during instruction does not work: An analysis of the failure of constructivist, discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry-based teaching. Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 75-86.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods & techniques (2nd ed.). New Age International Limited, Publishers.
Mamakou, I., & Grigoriadou, M. (2008). Project-based instruction for ESP in higher education. In R. C. V. Marriott & P. L. Torres (Eds.), Handbook of research on e-learning methodologies for language acquisition (pp. 456-479). IGI Global.
Mamakou, I., & Grigoriadou, M. (2011). An e-project-based approach to ESP learning in an ICT curriculum in higher education. Themes in Science and Technology Education, 3(1-2), 119-137.
Marion, E. (2011). Research diary: A tool for scaffolding. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 10(3), 296-306.
Mergendoller, J. R., & Thomas, J. W. (2010). Managing project-based learning: Principles from the field. Buck Institute for Education. http://www.newtechnetwork.org/research/managing-project-based-learning-principles-field
Mikulec, E., & Miller, P. C. (2011). Using project-based instruction to meet foreign language standards. The Clearing House, 84, 81-86.
Miller, P. C. (2006). Integrating a second language into project-based instruction. In G. H. Beckett & P. C. Miller (Eds.), Project-based learning in second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future (pp. 225-240). Information Age.
Moss, D., & Van Duzer, C. (1998). Project-based learning for adult English language learners (ED427556). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED427556.pdf
Muñoz-Luna, R., & Taillefer, L. (Eds.). (2018). Integrating information and communication technologies in English for specific purposes. Springer.
Musa, M. F, Mufti, N., Latiff, R. A., & Amin, M. M. (2012). Project-based learning (PjBL): Inculcating soft skills in 21st century workplace. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 59, 565-573.
Nguyen, T. V. L. (2011). Project-based learning in teaching English as a foreign language. VNU Journal of Science, Foreign Languages, 27(2), 140-146.
Nguyen, V. K. (2015). Towards improving ESP teaching/learning in Vietnam’s higher education institutions: Integrating project-based learning in ESP courses. International Journal of Languages, Literature, and Linguistics, 1(4), 227-232.
Noom-ura, S. (2013). Project-based learning and ESP: A perfect match. English Language Teaching, 31(3), 1-7.
Robinson, N. (2010). English for marketing. Cambridge University Press.
Robinson, P. (1991). ESP today: A practitioner’s guide. Prentice Hall.
Rousová, V. (2008). Project-based learning: Halloween party [Master’s thesis, Masaryk University]. https://is.muni.cz/th/qzgwd/?lang=en
Sheppard, K., & Stoller, F. (1995). Guidelines for the integration of student projects in ESP class-rooms. English Teaching Forum, 33(2), 10-15.
Shin, M. (2018). Effects of project-based learning on students’ motivation and self-efficacy. English Teaching, 73(1), 95-114.
Sidman-Taveau, R., & Milner-Boloti, M. (2001). Constructivist inspiration: A project-based model for L2 learning in virtual worlds. Texas Papers in Foreign Language Education, 6(1), 63-82.
Stoller, F. (2002). Project work: A means to promote language content in methodology. In J. C. Richards & W. A. Renandya (Eds.), Methodology in language teaching: An anthology of current practice (pp. 107-120). Cambridge University Press.
Stoller, F. (2006). Establishing a theoretical foundation for project-based learning in second and foreign language contexts. In G. H. Beckett & P. C. Miller (Eds.), Project based second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future (pp. 19-40). Information Age.
Stoller, F. L. (1997). Project work: A means to promote language and content. English Teaching Forum, 35(4), 2-9. http://exchanges.state.gov/forum/vols/vol35/no4/
Strevens, P. (1988). ESP after twenty years: A re-appraisal. In M. Tickoo (Ed.), ESP: State of the art (pp. 1-13). SEAMEO Regional Centre.
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project-based learning. http://www.bobpearlman.org/BestPractices/PBL_Research.pdf
Ushioda, E. (2010). Researching growth in autonomy through statement analysis. In B. O’Rourke & L. Carson (Eds.), Language learner autonomy: Policy, curriculum, classroom (pp. 45-62). Peter Lang.
Wahyudin, A. Y. (2017). The effect of project-based learning on L2 spoken performance of undergraduate students in English for business class. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 82, 1-5.
Yuliani, Y., & Lengkanawati, N. S. (2017). Project-based learning in promoting learner autonomy in an EFL classroom. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 7(2), 285-293.
Alsamani, A. S., & Daif-Allah, A. S. (2016). Introducing project-based instruction in the Saudi ESP classroom: A study in Qassim University. English Language Teaching, 9(1), 51-64.
Anthony, L. (2018). Introducing English for specific purposes. Routledge.
Barron, B. J. S. (1998). Doing with understanding: Lessons from research on problem- and project-based learning. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 7(3, 4), 271-311.
Basturkmen, H. (2006). Ideas and options in English for specific purposes. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Basturkmen, H. (2010). Developing courses in English for specific purposes. Palgrave Macmillan.
Beckett, G. H. (2002). Teacher and student evaluations of project-based instruction. TESL Canada Journal, 19(2), 52-66.
Beckett, G. H., & Miller, P. C. (2006). Project-based second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future. Information Age Publishing.
Beckett, G. H., & Slater, T. (2005). The project framework: A tool for language, content, and skills integration. ELT Journal, 59(2), 108-116.
Benson, P. (2005). Autonomy in language teaching. Beijing Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
Blank, W. (1997). Authentic instruction. In W. E. Blank & S. Harwell (Eds.), Promising practices for connecting high school to the real world (pp. 15-21). University of South Florida.
Block, J. (2015, February 26). 5 PBL best practices for redefining the teachers’ role. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/pbl-practices-redefining-teachers-role-josh-block
Bradley-Levine, J., & Mosier, G. (2014). Literature review on project-based learning. University of Indianapolis.
Day, J., & Krzanowski, M. (2011). Teaching English for specific purposes: An introduction. Cambridge University Press.
Díaz Ramírez, M. I. (2014). Developing learner autonomy through project work in an ESP class. HOW, A Colombian Journal for Teachers of English, 21(2), 54-73.
Devkota, S. P., Giri, D. R., & Bagale, S. (2017). Developing 21st century skills through project-based learning in EFL context: Challenges and opportunities. The Online Journal of New Horizons in Education, 7(1), 47-52.
Dudley-Evans, T., & St John, M. J. (1998). Developments in English for specific purposes: A multi-disciplinary approach. Cambridge University Press.
Efendi, T. A. (2017). The students’ perceptions of the implementation of ICT-supported project based learning in English teaching. IJET, 6(2), 167-183.
Farouck, I. (2016). A project-based language learning model for improving the willingness to communicate of EFL students. Systematics, Cybernetics and Informatics, 14(2), 11-18.
Fried-Booth, D. L. (2002). Project work (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Guo, S., & Yang, Y. (2012). Project-based learning: An effective approach to link teacher professional development and students learning. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 5(2), 41-56.
Haines, S. (1989). Projects for the EFL classroom: Resource material for teachers. Nelson.
Harwell, S. (1997). Project-based learning. In W. E. Blank & S. Harwell (Eds.), Promising practices for connecting high school to the real world (pp. 23-28). University of South Florida.
Hutchinson, T., & Waters, A. (1987). English for specific purposes: A learning-centred approach. Cambridge University Press.
Huzairin, D, Sudirman, & Hasan, B. (2018). Developing English learning model project based content and language integrated learning (CLIL) for English at university level in Indonesia. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(11), 371-384.
Jendrych, E. (2013). Developments in ESP teaching. Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric, 34(47), 43-58.
Johnson, D., & Johnson, R. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research. Interaction Book Company.
Ke, L. (2010). Project-based college English: An approach to teaching non-English majors. Chinese Journal of Applied Linguistics, 33(4), 99-112.
Kelsen, B. (2004). Target language use and performance in project-based language learning (PBLL). The Journal of Asia TEFL, 15(1), 199-207.
Kırkgöz, Y. (2014). Students’ perceptions of English language versus Turkish language used as the medium of instruction in higher education in Turkey. Turkish Studies, 9(12), 443-459.
Kırkgöz, Y., & Dikilitaş, K. (2018). Recent developments in ESP/EAP/EMI contexts. In Y. Kırkgöz & K. Dikilitaş (Eds.), Key issues in English for specific purposes in higher education (pp. 1-10). Springer.
Kirschner, P. A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R. E. (2006). Why minimal guidance during instruction does not work: An analysis of the failure of constructivist, discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry-based teaching. Educational Psychologist, 41(2), 75-86.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods & techniques (2nd ed.). New Age International Limited, Publishers.
Mamakou, I., & Grigoriadou, M. (2008). Project-based instruction for ESP in higher education. In R. C. V. Marriott & P. L. Torres (Eds.), Handbook of research on e-learning methodologies for language acquisition (pp. 456-479). IGI Global.
Mamakou, I., & Grigoriadou, M. (2011). An e-project-based approach to ESP learning in an ICT curriculum in higher education. Themes in Science and Technology Education, 3(1-2), 119-137.
Marion, E. (2011). Research diary: A tool for scaffolding. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 10(3), 296-306.
Mergendoller, J. R., & Thomas, J. W. (2010). Managing project-based learning: Principles from the field. Buck Institute for Education. http://www.newtechnetwork.org/research/managing-project-based-learning-principles-field
Mikulec, E., & Miller, P. C. (2011). Using project-based instruction to meet foreign language standards. The Clearing House, 84, 81-86.
Miller, P. C. (2006). Integrating a second language into project-based instruction. In G. H. Beckett & P. C. Miller (Eds.), Project-based learning in second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future (pp. 225-240). Information Age.
Moss, D., & Van Duzer, C. (1998). Project-based learning for adult English language learners (ED427556). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED427556.pdf
Muñoz-Luna, R., & Taillefer, L. (Eds.). (2018). Integrating information and communication technologies in English for specific purposes. Springer.
Musa, M. F, Mufti, N., Latiff, R. A., & Amin, M. M. (2012). Project-based learning (PjBL): Inculcating soft skills in 21st century workplace. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 59, 565-573.
Nguyen, T. V. L. (2011). Project-based learning in teaching English as a foreign language. VNU Journal of Science, Foreign Languages, 27(2), 140-146.
Nguyen, V. K. (2015). Towards improving ESP teaching/learning in Vietnam’s higher education institutions: Integrating project-based learning in ESP courses. International Journal of Languages, Literature, and Linguistics, 1(4), 227-232.
Noom-ura, S. (2013). Project-based learning and ESP: A perfect match. English Language Teaching, 31(3), 1-7.
Robinson, N. (2010). English for marketing. Cambridge University Press.
Robinson, P. (1991). ESP today: A practitioner’s guide. Prentice Hall.
Rousová, V. (2008). Project-based learning: Halloween party [Master’s thesis, Masaryk University]. https://is.muni.cz/th/qzgwd/?lang=en
Sheppard, K., & Stoller, F. (1995). Guidelines for the integration of student projects in ESP class-rooms. English Teaching Forum, 33(2), 10-15.
Shin, M. (2018). Effects of project-based learning on students’ motivation and self-efficacy. English Teaching, 73(1), 95-114.
Sidman-Taveau, R., & Milner-Boloti, M. (2001). Constructivist inspiration: A project-based model for L2 learning in virtual worlds. Texas Papers in Foreign Language Education, 6(1), 63-82.
Stoller, F. (2002). Project work: A means to promote language content in methodology. In J. C. Richards & W. A. Renandya (Eds.), Methodology in language teaching: An anthology of current practice (pp. 107-120). Cambridge University Press.
Stoller, F. (2006). Establishing a theoretical foundation for project-based learning in second and foreign language contexts. In G. H. Beckett & P. C. Miller (Eds.), Project based second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future (pp. 19-40). Information Age.
Stoller, F. L. (1997). Project work: A means to promote language and content. English Teaching Forum, 35(4), 2-9. http://exchanges.state.gov/forum/vols/vol35/no4/
Strevens, P. (1988). ESP after twenty years: A re-appraisal. In M. Tickoo (Ed.), ESP: State of the art (pp. 1-13). SEAMEO Regional Centre.
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project-based learning. http://www.bobpearlman.org/BestPractices/PBL_Research.pdf
Ushioda, E. (2010). Researching growth in autonomy through statement analysis. In B. O’Rourke & L. Carson (Eds.), Language learner autonomy: Policy, curriculum, classroom (pp. 45-62). Peter Lang.
Wahyudin, A. Y. (2017). The effect of project-based learning on L2 spoken performance of undergraduate students in English for business class. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 82, 1-5.
Yuliani, Y., & Lengkanawati, N. S. (2017). Project-based learning in promoting learner autonomy in an EFL classroom. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 7(2), 285-293.