Feasibility and Evaluation of Project Work in EFL at Secondary School
Keywords:
competencies, project work, learner autonomy, evaluation.Abstract
The adoption of a competency
based approach in
teaching/learning English as a
foreign language entails the direct
application of Project Work as a
tool for competency development
and evaluation. Project work, in
essence, helps learners gain
practice, achievement and
autonomy in learning tasks. The
present paper relies on teachers’
own conception, practice, and
evaluation of the feasibility and
evaluation of project work inside
and outside classroom settings of
secondary school to show that
despite the theoretical positive
attributes assigned to project work,
its practical process does not
provide the expected results. The
study determines that the
application of project work- in a
context where English is not a
second language- does not help
learners develop the expected
competencies. Hence,
methodological and realistic
materials and media are suggested
to give project work the role it
deserves and assumes.
Downloads
References
Blachard, J (2009) Teaching, Learning and Assessment. Open University Press
Buehl,D 2009 (3rd ED) Classroom Strategies for Interactive learning International
Reading Association
Chen, Y (2007) ‘Learning to learn: the impact of strategy training’ in ELT Journal
Volume 61/1 2007 OUP: 20-29
Fletcher, S (1992) Competency-Based Techniques. The Kogan Page and Practical Trainer
Series. London
Field, John (2007) ‘Looking outward, not inward’ in ELT Journal Volume 61/1 OUP:
-38
Griffiths, C (2007) ‘language learning strategies: students’ and teachers’ perceptions’
in ELT Journal Volume 61/2 OUP: 9198
Harvey, V.S and L.A Chickie-Wolfe (2007) Fostering Independent Learning: Practical
strategies to promote Student Success The Guilford Press New York
James, M (ed 2006) Learning How To Learn: Tools for Schools. Routledge London
McNamara, T (2000) Language Testing. Oxford Introductions to language Studies.
Series Editor HG. Widdowson. Oxford University Press
Peterson,T.O (2005) ‘Assessing performance in problem based service-learning
projects’ In Achacoso, M.V and M.D Sivinicki (eds)2005. Alternative Strategies for
Evaluating Student Learning. Jossey Bass and Wiley: 55-63
Ritchie, J and R, Legard (1997) The first Project Work Pilots: A Qualitative Evaluation.
Research Report N° 30 Department of Education, and Employment and Employment
Services (DfEE and ES) in Hull, Medway/Maidstone UK Social and Community
Planning Research.
Nuthall. G (2006) ‘Bridging the gap’ in Oser, F.K, F. Achtenhagen and U Renold (Eds)
Competence Oriented teacher Training Sense Publishers Rotterdam: 261-291
Brockband, A and I, McGill 2007 (2nd ED- first published 1998) ‘Facilitating Reflective
Learning’ in Higher Education
Buehl,D 2009 (3rd ED) Classroom Strategies for Interactive learning International
Reading Association
Queck, Choon Lang. 2006 Engaging in Project Work McGraw-Hill Education
Wolf, A (1995) Competence Based Assessment. Open University Press
