This study which entitles “Learners’ Attitudes towards the Project Works in promoting English learner autonomy: a Case Study at Foreign Trade University-Ho Chi Minh Campus” was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to investigate students’ attitudes towards the use of project works to enhance their autonomous learning in an English speaking class; (2) to find out to what extent students believe that using project works can promote their autonomous learning; and (3) to figure out difficulties that learners have during the time they conduct Video making project. The study population was 73 second-year students who took the course English listening and speaking 2. An open-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interview were employed as research instruments for data collection. The result firstly shows that the students have positive attitudes towards the use of project works in English class that may have enhanced their autonomous learning. Then, it reveals students’ preference in having more project works to do in their English classes. Nonetheless, using project works’ evaluation as one of criteria for course assessment is a controversial issue among these students. In addition, students’ interest in utilizing information technology devices is remarked as one of the significant findings in this study. Furthermore, some difficulties when conducting projects are found including time constraints, teamwork conflicts, cultural differences and technology problems. In short, because of students’ positive attitudes toward Video making project in enhancing their autonomous learning, it is suggested that teachers should consider applying the project in their language teaching.
This article presents the results of a study on the current application of Project-based learning (PBL) in the teaching of English productive skills to students at the Foreign Trade University - Ho Chi Minh City Campus and how students can improve them. The research also provides insights into the expectations of students and entrepreneurs on that matter. The research group used the 5-point Likert scale in a questionnaire to collect data from students and interviewed FTU - HCMC’s English teachers and entrepreneurs to give further suggestions. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze whether or not there is a significant difference in students’ English productive skills before and after using PBL in English language learning. This study found a significant difference in speaking skills of FTU - HCMC students before and after participating in PBL activities. The students improved their comprehension, range and the ability to deliver their ideas to the target reader for writing skills. However, no difference was found in their content, cohesion, and accuracy. Interviewed teachers and entrepreneurs supported the implementation of PBL in schools. Overall, PBL is encouraged in the settings of higher education institutions.
Publication Information
Publisher
Thu Dau Mot University, Viet Nam
Editor-in-Chief
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Hiep Thu Dau Mot University
Editorial Board
Assoc. Prof. Le Tuan Anh Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Nguyen Quoc Cuong Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Doan Ngoc Xuan Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Nguyen Khoa Truong An Thu Dau Mot University
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thanh Binh Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Le Thi Thuy Dung Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Ngo Hong Diep Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Nguyen Duc Dat Duc Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Duc Animal Husbandry Association of Vietnam
PhD. Nguyen Thi Nhat Hang Department of Education and Training of Binh Duong Province
PhD. Nguyen Thi Cam Le Vietnam Aviation Academy
PhD. Trần Hạnh Minh Phương Thu Dau Mot University
M.A. Pham Van Thinh Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Nguyen Thi Lien Thuong Thu Dau Mot University