problem-based-learning

Teaching and development of writing skill in foreign language education is very important, but it has been regarded as a challenging task for some teachers especially in the context of teaching English as a Foreign Language, In this respect, different teaching approaches, including Problem-Based Learning (PBL) have been developed to help learners improve their writing skills. This study sought to investigate the effect of problem-based learning on Iranian EFL learners’ argumentative writing performance. To fulfill the above purpose 46 EFL upper intermediate female learners within the age range of 16-18 were selected through a convenience sampling design, out of a population of 73 learners, based on their performance on a First Certificate in English test (FCE). Then, they were randomly assigned into two groups of problem-based and traditional product- based group. Both groups took a pretest at the beginning of the study to measure the amount of pre-existing knowledge on argumentative writing performance including its components of (Generic features, syntactical language, and spelling) and a post-test in the end to check the effectiveness of the treatment applied. PBL group benefited from PBL method and the control group received traditional writing instruction method. The results of the study, based on the analysis of covariance, indicated that PBL group outperformed the control group in writing performance, including its component of generic features, syntactical language, and spelling. Teachers, EFL learners, material developers, and syllabus designers can be the beneficiaries of this inquiry's outcomes.

Transactional distance as an instrumental concept affects the learning process, particularly in distant education. This quasi-experimental study aims to implement problem-based learning (PBL) in EFL online education and investigate its impact on transactional distance and comprehension ability. Two groups of participants from the basic level participated in this study. One participated as an experimental group (N = 40) and the other as a control group (N = 40). The participants’ language proficiency was checked by the Ket English Test (KET). These two groups followed PBL and lecture-based methods respectively. These two groups accomplished pre-testing and post-testing on Transactional Distance Scale (RSTD) by Paul, Swart, Zhang, and MacLeod, (2015) and a reading comprehension test constructed by the researcher. Based on multivariate and one-way analysis of variance, the findings showed that the experimental group had a low level of transactional distance and a high level of comprehension ability. Practitioners should draw their attention to constructivists’ methods of teaching if they want to provoke deep meaningful learning in EFL educational contexts. The results of this study can demonstrate that it is possible to bring about changes in EFL educational settings to promote language learning and class is the main place where the change can occur.

Since writing is characterized with a cognitive nature, one practical approach to improve EFL learners' writing skill is to resort to inquiry-based learning approaches such as problem-based learning (PBL) which is characterized with a high cognitive demand and often contribute to high retention of knowledge. This study aimed at exploring Iranian EFL learners’ perceptions of problem-based learning. In so doing, a content analysis design was used within the qualitative paradigm. The participants consisted of 15 (8 females and 7 males) advanced EFL learners who participated in the study through purposive sampling from different language institutes in Tehran. The data were gathered through a semi-structured interview. Data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis. Based on the interview data, the following themes were extracted: Engagement, collaboration, personal preferences, sharing knowledge, novelty, less supportive teachers, joyful learning process, and use of adequate technologies, time requirements, affecting vocabulary learning, changing students' perception about the learning process and the teachers' role. The results have some implications for EFL teachers and learners, and curriculum planners. Key Words: Collaboration, Engagement, Writing, Problem-based Learning.

This study aimed at designing a problem-based model of writing development for Iranian EFL learners. To this end, a qualitative content analysis method was used. The participants included EFL teachers (N=10) and learners (N=15) with teaching and learning experience in writing courses at different language institutes of Iran. They were selected through purposive sampling. To collect the data, a semi-structured interview was used. More particularly, initially, the respondents in this study were interviewed to find out what their views about PBL is. The researchers began the qualitative data collection procedure and continued until data was saturated. The semi-structured questions administered to the respondents dealt with various aspects of PBL including: searching for answers, collaborative learning, cognitive thinking, learner-centered learning, diminished rule of the teacher, feedback dynamics in PBL, synthesis of data, and application of findings. By using the views of participants with regards to PBL, a new PBL model for the writing skill were designed. The findings can have implications for EFL teachers, learners, and curriculum planners.

Problem-based learning (PBL) has recently gained prominence because of its potential to engage learners in learning process and to encourage deep meaningful knowledge construction. This quasi-experimental research, hence, aimed at implementing PBL in an EFL context to investigate its impact on participants’ engagement and reading comprehension. Two groups of elementary level students, one as experimental group (N = 40) and one as control group (N = 40) whose homogeneity in language proficiency was examined by Key English Test (KET) were selected. The experimental group received PBL and the control group received lecture-based method. The two groups completed pre- and posttests of PETALS engagement instrument (PEI) and reading comprehension. The results, based on multivariate analysis of covariance and one-way analysis of covariance, indicated that the PBL group had higher engagement and more enhanced reading comprehension ability. To have highly engaged successful learners in reading comprehension classes, practitioners in EFL context should pay special attention to student-centered methods like PBL.

To cultivate effective reading, all teaching practices must develop higher-order processing, which involves enhancing reading comprehension and its components of vocabulary, grammar, and text structure. This quasi-experimental research aimed at implementing problem-based learning (PBL) with hard scaffolds in a general English course in the Iranian EFL context to investigate its impact on the participants’ reading comprehension. Two intact groups of elementary students, one as the experimental group (N = 40) and one as the control group (N =40) whose homogeneity in language proficiency was checked through the Key English Test (KET) were selected. The experimental group underwent the PBL method with hard scaffolds and the control group received a mainstream reading instruction method. The two groups completed pre-and posttests of reading comprehension. The results of the study, based on multivariate analysis of covariance, indicated that the PBL group with hard scaffolds outperformed the control group in reading comprehension, including its components of vocabulary, grammar, and text structure. The results of the study suggest that practitioners could pay special attention to the PBL method in EFL educational contexts to enhance students’ higher order processing, vocabulary and grammar learning, and text structure knowledge.