Problem-based learning in the English language classroom

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the problem-based learning approach (PBL) on students in language classes in two areas: course content and language development. The study was conducted on 128 students, grouped into the experimental and control groups, and employed an ex...

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Main Authors: Othman, Normala, Ahamed Shah, Mohamed Ismail
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Canadian Centre for Science and Education 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/31196/1/Problem-based_learning_in_the_English_language_classroom.pdf
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author Othman, Normala
Ahamed Shah, Mohamed Ismail
author_facet Othman, Normala
Ahamed Shah, Mohamed Ismail
author_sort Othman, Normala
collection IIUM
description The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the problem-based learning approach (PBL) on students in language classes in two areas: course content and language development. The study was conducted on 128 students, grouped into the experimental and control groups, and employed an experimental research design. The syllabus, textbook, and instructor were controlled for both groups. The findings of the study showed that in terms of course content, both groups improved but in terms of language the PBL group showed more improvements. The PBL group showed improvements in the post-writing test, that is, their essays were richer in terms of support and arguments for each point, while the non-PBL did not show much difference in their post-writing test. This indicates that students could still acquire the course content with minimal content instruction. The limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are offered at the end of the paper. Keywords: Problem-Based Learning, traditional approaches, Content-Based Instruction, proficiency
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spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:311962013-08-01T04:05:58Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/31196/ Problem-based learning in the English language classroom Othman, Normala Ahamed Shah, Mohamed Ismail L Education (General) The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the problem-based learning approach (PBL) on students in language classes in two areas: course content and language development. The study was conducted on 128 students, grouped into the experimental and control groups, and employed an experimental research design. The syllabus, textbook, and instructor were controlled for both groups. The findings of the study showed that in terms of course content, both groups improved but in terms of language the PBL group showed more improvements. The PBL group showed improvements in the post-writing test, that is, their essays were richer in terms of support and arguments for each point, while the non-PBL did not show much difference in their post-writing test. This indicates that students could still acquire the course content with minimal content instruction. The limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are offered at the end of the paper. Keywords: Problem-Based Learning, traditional approaches, Content-Based Instruction, proficiency Canadian Centre for Science and Education 2013 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/31196/1/Problem-based_learning_in_the_English_language_classroom.pdf Othman, Normala and Ahamed Shah, Mohamed Ismail (2013) Problem-based learning in the English language classroom. English Language Teaching, 6 (3). pp. 125-134. ISSN 1916-4742 http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/
spellingShingle L Education (General)
Othman, Normala
Ahamed Shah, Mohamed Ismail
Problem-based learning in the English language classroom
title Problem-based learning in the English language classroom
title_full Problem-based learning in the English language classroom
title_fullStr Problem-based learning in the English language classroom
title_full_unstemmed Problem-based learning in the English language classroom
title_short Problem-based learning in the English language classroom
title_sort problem based learning in the english language classroom
topic L Education (General)
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/31196/1/Problem-based_learning_in_the_English_language_classroom.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT othmannormala problembasedlearningintheenglishlanguageclassroom
AT ahamedshahmohamedismail problembasedlearningintheenglishlanguageclassroom