Investigation into the Effectiveness of Using Problem-Based Learning in Teaching Communication Skills in English to Engineering Students

Abstract

In the trend of innovating university teaching methods in the direction of student-centered learning, this article proposes the application of problem-based learning (PBL) in teaching English communication skills to engineering students at University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University. With a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, the research svhowed that PBL was an ideal teaching method since it enabled engineering students not only to improve their communication skills but also to apply the content knowledge in the English course. In addition, the study identified the main challenges faced by students in implementing group projects. It is hoped that this study can provide researchers and teachers with useful implications for using English as a medium of instruction in science-related subjects. © 2023, Indiana University Press. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

problem-based learning (PBL) group work English learning communication skills Engineering students

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Funding & Acknowledgements

European Commission, EC

Although the research on problem-solving teaching has been going on for a long time, the method is mainly studied and applied in teaching in high schools. The application of this approach at the university level is still limited. In the framework of a project sponsored by the European Commission, the Faculty of Public Health (Hanoi Medical University) has been using the term \u201Cproblem-based learning\u201D in Vietnam since 2004. In the 2007-2008 school years that followed, the Medical University implemented this test for a number of subjects. Other universities also applied PBL for some subjects. The results showed that PBL is suitable for selected subjects, making the learners active and interested in learning (Le, 2007; Nguyen, 2011; Nguyen et al., 2012). In addition, some teacher training documents mentioned the basics of PBL (Nguyen et al., 2010; Nguyen et al., 2010).

Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat, Universitas Andalas, FKM

Although the research on problem-solving teaching has been going on for a long time, the method is mainly studied and applied in teaching in high schools. The application of this approach at the university level is still limited. In the framework of a project sponsored by the European Commission, the Faculty of Public Health (Hanoi Medical University) has been using the term \u201Cproblem-based learning\u201D in Vietnam since 2004. In the 2007-2008 school years that followed, the Medical University implemented this test for a number of subjects. Other universities also applied PBL for some subjects. The results showed that PBL is suitable for selected subjects, making the learners active and interested in learning (Le, 2007; Nguyen, 2011; Nguyen et al., 2012). In addition, some teacher training documents mentioned the basics of PBL (Nguyen et al., 2010; Nguyen et al., 2010).

Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội

Although the research on problem-solving teaching has been going on for a long time, the method is mainly studied and applied in teaching in high schools. The application of this approach at the university level is still limited. In the framework of a project sponsored by the European Commission, the Faculty of Public Health (Hanoi Medical University) has been using the term \u201Cproblem-based learning\u201D in Vietnam since 2004. In the 2007-2008 school years that followed, the Medical University implemented this test for a number of subjects. Other universities also applied PBL for some subjects. The results showed that PBL is suitable for selected subjects, making the learners active and interested in learning (Le, 2007; Nguyen, 2011; Nguyen et al., 2012). In addition, some teacher training documents mentioned the basics of PBL (Nguyen et al., 2010; Nguyen et al., 2010).

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Investigation into the Effectiveness of Using Problem-Based Learning in Teaching Communication Skills in English to Engineering Students

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