PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob

Current language teaching methodologies and recent educational changes in Malaysia have exposed the students to independent or autonomous learning style. In Malaysia, Problem-based Learning (PBL) is gaining popularity and the acceptance among academicians and students has led to its successful imple...

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Main Author:	Yaacob, Zuriani
Format:	Thesis
Language:	English
Published:	2012
Subjects:	Malaysia
Online Access:	https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/15045/1/TM_ZURIANI%20YAACOB%20ED%2012_5.PDF
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spelling	my-uitm-ir.150452022-04-07T02:35:35Z PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob 2012-12 Yaacob, Zuriani Malaysia Malaysia Current language teaching methodologies and recent educational changes in Malaysia have exposed the students to independent or autonomous learning style. In Malaysia, Problem-based Learning (PBL) is gaining popularity and the acceptance among academicians and students has led to its successful implementation (Abu Hassan et aI., 2004). Hence, the objective of the study was to explore students' perceptions and attitude towards the implementation of PBL curriculum instruction in an EAP normal setting classroom. It also aimed to increase understanding of the PBL effectiveness on learners' communication skills, vocabulary knowledge, and writing performance. In language classrooms, PBL is believed to create a conducive environment for the language skills to grow (Steinemann, 2003) . This is significant in suggesting that communication skills, vocabulary, analytical and critical thinking abilities are better acquired in PBL setting than in traditional classrooms (Zamnah, 2005). This study adopted a predominantly quantitative approach in which the data was later corroborated by qualitative approach to ensure the validity of the data collected. The collaborative problem-solving process within an EAP classroom was observed as a case study. The population of this study comprised of first semester students of Asasi Undang-Undang (Law Foundation Programme) from a local government university i.e. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kuantan City Campus in Pahang. The study utilized multiple sources of evidence including pretest and posttest, direct observations, presentation assessments, reflective journals, semi-structured interviews and questionnaire based suryey to enable triangulation of the data. The findings of this study indicated that the students had positive attitude towards learning second language through Problem-based Learning (PBL) instruction. On top of that, it was evident that PBL was effective in developing the students' communication skills, vocabulary, and writing skills through PBL approach. These results were consistent with previous research indicating that the implementation of PBL in language learning process significantly increased the students' language and generic skills. In terms of pedagogical implications, it was evident that students need to be exposed more to the use of PBL to minimize their dependency on class instructors. Giving the students opportunities for self-directed learning will promote positive changes in their effort of learning English as a second language. Besides, in promoting such independent learning environment, it is important for the facilitator to clarify about PBL, its underlying principles and characteristics in which later would enable them to become familiar with the PBL processes. Effective communication during PBL sessions is significant to ensure that the students feel emotionally, socially and intellectually supported. This will also be resulting in positive relationship development between the students and the facilitator. 2012-12 Thesis https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/15045/ https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/15045/1/TM_ZURIANI%20YAACOB%20ED%2012_5.PDF text en public mphil masters Universiti Teknologi MARA Faculty of Education Abdul Majid, Faizah (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
institution	Universiti Teknologi MARA
collection	UiTM Institutional Repository
language	English
advisor	Abdul Majid, Faizah (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
topic	Malaysia Malaysia
spellingShingle	Malaysia Malaysia Yaacob, Zuriani PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob
description	Current language teaching methodologies and recent educational changes in Malaysia have exposed the students to independent or autonomous learning style. In Malaysia, Problem-based Learning (PBL) is gaining popularity and the acceptance among academicians and students has led to its successful implementation (Abu Hassan et aI., 2004). Hence, the objective of the study was to explore students' perceptions and attitude towards the implementation of PBL curriculum instruction in an EAP normal setting classroom. It also aimed to increase understanding of the PBL effectiveness on learners' communication skills, vocabulary knowledge, and writing performance. In language classrooms, PBL is believed to create a conducive environment for the language skills to grow (Steinemann, 2003) . This is significant in suggesting that communication skills, vocabulary, analytical and critical thinking abilities are better acquired in PBL setting than in traditional classrooms (Zamnah, 2005). This study adopted a predominantly quantitative approach in which the data was later corroborated by qualitative approach to ensure the validity of the data collected. The collaborative problem-solving process within an EAP classroom was observed as a case study. The population of this study comprised of first semester students of Asasi Undang-Undang (Law Foundation Programme) from a local government university i.e. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kuantan City Campus in Pahang. The study utilized multiple sources of evidence including pretest and posttest, direct observations, presentation assessments, reflective journals, semi-structured interviews and questionnaire based suryey to enable triangulation of the data. The findings of this study indicated that the students had positive attitude towards learning second language through Problem-based Learning (PBL) instruction. On top of that, it was evident that PBL was effective in developing the students' communication skills, vocabulary, and writing skills through PBL approach. These results were consistent with previous research indicating that the implementation of PBL in language learning process significantly increased the students' language and generic skills. In terms of pedagogical implications, it was evident that students need to be exposed more to the use of PBL to minimize their dependency on class instructors. Giving the students opportunities for self-directed learning will promote positive changes in their effort of learning English as a second language. Besides, in promoting such independent learning environment, it is important for the facilitator to clarify about PBL, its underlying principles and characteristics in which later would enable them to become familiar with the PBL processes. Effective communication during PBL sessions is significant to ensure that the students feel emotionally, socially and intellectually supported. This will also be resulting in positive relationship development between the students and the facilitator.
format	Thesis
qualification_name	Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
qualification_level	Master's degree
author	Yaacob, Zuriani
author_facet	Yaacob, Zuriani
author_sort	Yaacob, Zuriani
title	PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob
title_short	PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob
title_full	PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob
title_fullStr	PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob
title_full_unstemmed	PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob
title_sort	pbl in an eap classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / zuriani yaacob
granting_institution	Universiti Teknologi MARA
granting_department	Faculty of Education
publishDate	2012
url	https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/15045/1/TM_ZURIANI%20YAACOB%20ED%2012_5.PDF
_version_	1783733344841760768

PBL in an EAP classroom: an insight study on students' language skills / Zuriani Yaacob

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