Can Project-Based Learning (PBL) Help English Language Teachers Teach English More Effectively?

Hello everyone! 

I hope you’re having a productive Wednesday.

Today, I would like to talk about the use of project-based learning (PBL) when teaching English as a foreign language, what the research says, and the challenges arising from it.

Project-based learning is a student-centered teaching method that emphasizes learning through the completion of real-world projects. Students work on projects that require them to research, plan, design, and present their work to the class. PBL is an effective way to teach English as a foreign language because it engages students in authentic communication and problem-solving.

Challenges of Using Project-Based Learning in the Classroom

One of the benefits of using PBL in the English language classroom is that it allows students to use the language in a meaningful context. However, before delving into the use of PBL in the classroom, let’s explore some challenges.  Although project-based learning (PBL) can be an effective way to engage students in active, hands-on learning, there are also several challenges associated with its implementation in the classroom. Some of these challenges include:

• Student engagement. While PBL can be highly engaging for some students, others may struggle to stay motivated or focused on long-term projects.
• Time management. PBL often requires a significant amount of time to plan, design, and implement, which can be challenging for teachers who are already facing time constraints.
• Resource constraints. PBL may require additional resources, materials, or equipment that are not readily available in all classrooms or schools.
• Assessment. Evaluating student learning and assessing project outcomes can be more difficult in a PBL environment, as there may not be clear criteria for success or standardized assessments.

Overall, these challenges can be overcome with careful planning, clear communication, and a willingness to experiment and adapt to the needs of individual students and classrooms. Regardless of its challenging nature, project-based learning yields considerable positive results. 

Why Use Project-Based Learning in Your Classroom?  

According to a study by Novitas-ROYAL (Research on Youth and Language), integration of real-life-based and learner-centered methods like project-based learning (PBL) into rural English classes may help improve the quality of ELT in such contexts. PBL also helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in today's global economy.

Source: Venngage

To use PBL in the classroom, the teacher should first choose a real-world problem or issue that students are interested in. For example, students can work on a project that involves designing a website or creating a marketing campaign for a new product. The teacher should then provide the necessary language input and support to help students complete the project successfully.

During the project, students should work in groups to research, plan, and design their project. They should also practice presenting their work to the class. This process allows students to use the language in an authentic context, and it also helps them develop teamwork and collaboration skills.

Research has shown that PBL is an effective teaching method for English as a foreign language. A study by Wang (2016) found that students who participated in PBL projects scored higher on English language tests than students who learned through traditional teaching methods. Another study by Zhang (2018) found that PBL improved students' English language proficiency and their ability to use the language in real-world situations.

Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, I think project-based learning is an effective way to teach English as a foreign language. It provides students with opportunities to use the language in a meaningful context and helps them develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. As a student of foreign languages and teaching, I strongly recommend using PBL in an English language classroom.

 

The Importance of Multiple Intelligences, Multimedia, and Other 21st-Century Skills in Teaching

Greetings, fellow colleagues! Today, we'll be delving into an exciting discussion about multiple intelligences, multimedia, 21st-century skills, cooperative learning, and collaborative learning. 

First up, let us talk about multiple intelligences. You know that age-old question: "Are you a left-brain or right-brain thinker?" Well, it turns out that the answer is much more complex than that. 

Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences, put forth by Howard Gardner, suggests that we all possess different types of intelligence, such as musical, logical-mathematical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and many more.

So, the next time someone asks you if you're a left-brain or right-brain person, tell them you're an "all-brain" person, thank you very much. 

Jokes aside, identifying your dominant intelligences can help you navigate life more easily. So consider taking a test. There are multiple sites out there, but Alis and IRDlabs worked best for me. If you use Alis, it reveals your top three intelligences (as I’ve shared in the previous blog).  

Multimedia

Now, let us move on to multimedia. In this day and age, we are bombarded with multimedia content left and right. Whether it is through social media, YouTube videos, or online courses, we are constantly consuming multimedia in one form or another. But did you know that multimedia can also enhance our learning and the learning experience of our students? 

By incorporating images, videos, and audio into our learning experiences, we can create a more engaging and interactive environment. So, the next time you (are your students) are studying for an exam, try watching a video or listening to a podcast on the subject. Your brain will thank you.

Important 21st-century Skills 

Next on our list are 21st-century skills. In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, it's important to have a set of skills that can help us thrive in the 21st century. These skills include things such as: 

• critical thinking, 
• problem-solving, 
• communication, 
• and collaboration. 

So, if you want to succeed in today's world, put down that outdated encyclopedia and start honing your 21st-century skills.

Speaking of collaboration, let us talk about cooperative learning and collaborative learning. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. 

Cooperative learning involves working together on a task or project, but each person has their own role and responsibility. 

Collaborative learning, on the other hand, involves working together as a group to achieve a common goal. So, the next time you're in a group project, ask yourself: "Am I cooperating or collaborating?" Your groupmates will appreciate it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you're a left-brain or all-brain person, a multimedia fanatic, a 21st-century trailblazer, or a cooperative or collaborative learner, there's something here for everyone. So, embrace your unique intelligence, consume some multimedia, hone your 21st-century skills, and work together to achieve your goals. And remember, always approach learning with a sense of humor and fun!

Quiz Results: Top 3 Types of Intelligence

Hello fellow colleagues,

I would like to wish Happy Easter to those who celebrate it, and an enjoyable break to those who do not.

Below I am attaching the Multiple Intelligences quiz results from the test taken on the Alis site. 

Honestly, I was surprised by the results. Math is not my strong domain, but I tend to sway toward being logical when making decisions. 

As per linguistic intelligence, I consider myself obsessed with words, and I trust they are the secret code to get through life’s daunting challenges and communicate with people with clarity.

The same goes for the third type of intelligence. As an introvert, I spend most of my time thinking up scenarios and trying to make sense of my own feelings.

This quiz helped me understand my strong traits, pointing out the types of tasks I might be more successful in, and what should I delegate. 

Additionally, I want to mention two other sites I have found to be useful in assessing one’s personality’s strengths and weaknesses. They are broadly used by businesses to assess their employees’ personalities to know them better and predict how they fit into their teams.  

• 16Personalities (my results)
• My Personality (my results)

Thank you for your attention. 

Until next time, have a good week!

Technology: The Red Pill or the Blue Pill?

Source

In recent years, the concept of the blue pill and red pill has become popular. The origin was the famous movie, the Matrix, in which the world is a fantastic reality designed by sophisticated technology based on mathematical principles. People live their lives without being aware of the truth, but their lives are nothing but rat races. Chasing after money and ephemeral pleasures. Neo, a hacker, accidentally finds a glitch in the code of reality.

Morpheus, who escaped the programmed reality at an early age, has spent his entire life fighting the malevolent machines manipulating reality and keeping humans asleep from the world's true nature. His mission is to find the one who will end this war for good. According to prophecy, Neo will be the One. So he appears in Neo’s world to offer him a choice. 

He is presented with two pills, the red pill, and the blue pill. If he takes the blue pill, he can return to his mundane life and ignore the existence of the Machines. But if he takes the red pill, he’ll learn the truth about reality and live an authentic life, fulfilling his mission to liberate the other humans from this spell and end the order of the machines.

The reason why the movie and the concept of two pills became so popular they went on to produce three more series (which I binge-watched in one night), was because it resonated with the growing fear of humanity that one day the machines will not only outsmart but also rule us. 

via GIPHY

So the pressing question today is this: is technology helping us advance ourselves, or is it slowing us down? A quote extracted from Celeste Headlee’s book Do Nothing, which I read last week on Cole Schafer’s blog, left me pondering the usefulness of technology in simplifying our lives.

“Why do I have more to do than my grandmother, despite owning a dishwasher, microwave and portable computer?”

There are tons of questions looming around when you start thinking about it: 

• Is it making us smarter, connected, and capable, or dumber, disillusioned, and weaker? 

• Is technology freeing us from heavy work, or loading us with even more tiring tasks? 

• Is technology bringing us closer to each other or making us more distant? 

With the release of ChatGPT, a revolution driven by AI has taken a massive leap. Now we can skip writing, researching, painting, and ideating. A dozen states have banned its use, especially in school since students started cheating. But it will be impossible to stop its use. 

However, while the threat is real, Artificial Intelligence is nothing but a tool. It doesn’t run on its own and we can learn to adopt it to enhance our education and the output of our work overall. There are teachers who are using it to facilitate their teaching and grading processes. 

Source: Reddit

or this other teacher who is amazed at how much the tool has shifted her entire teaching experience.

Source: Reddit

Last week, during our lectures we watched a video on the top reasons we must integrate technology into our teaching process. Some of the key points I could extract were these: 

• Students love learning through technology.  
• It engages the Four Key Components of Learning.   
• It offers professional development.   
• It makes life easier for teachers. 
• It improves test scores.  
• It helps students with low attention spans.  
• It allows students to learn from experts.  

Such reasons are the bedrock of why we should integrate technology into our education systems more. But if I were to add a few more reasons, I’d say that: 

• It enhances student engagement.  
• It offers a personalized learning experience. 
• Encourages collaboration and communication.
• It enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills, etc.

EdTech has branched in many areas of education, and ChatGPT isn’t the only tool currently used in teaching. Digital folders have replaced clunky cabinets, podcasts are replacing lectures, and virtual reality will forever revolutionize remote classes. Ahead lays a bright albeit scary future for future teachers and unborn kids. Are we ready for it? We don’t know.   

But we’re learning. Technology is one pill, neither red nor blue. It’s we who assign labels, which is exciting. And staying excited for the journey that lies ahead instead of being frightened is the true meaning of education. Let’s embody it.  

“I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.”  

—Steve Irwin