Implementing Problem-based Learning to Secondary School EFL learners at the International School of China for Developing Communicative Competence

Abstract

As the global demand for complex talent increases, the purpose of teaching and learning is no longer simply to transmit knowledge, but also to develop students’ ability to ask questions, analyze problems and solve them (Reed et al, 2021). The traditional teacher-centered, passive learning approach no longer meets the teaching context of social development and strong international competitiveness (Ting et al., 2021). PBL (Problem-based learning) is a form of self-directed learning and group discussion that creates a genuine context for students to map out the real world, which contributes to diversifying, differentiating, and stimulating students learning (Almulla, 2020). PBL develops students’ practical skills, cultivates innovative and applied talents, and improves students’ confidence in learning (Ngadiso et al., 2021). PBL uses independent learning and group discussion to create a real-world situation for students, which can develop their learning autonomy, and improve their overall application skills, especially the listening and speaking skills (Quinn, 2019). This pedagogical report tries to design a complete PBL project for high school students in an international school of China to help students be able to use English correctly for intercultural communication by doing PBL tasks. Students can deeply appreciate the differences in word meanings, sentence meanings, associative meanings, metaphorical meanings, and other linguistic phenomena in the two different cultures of the East and the West, to understand culture from the inside and maintain their interest and enthusiasm in learning English. By PBL approach, teachers can help students to mobilize their enthusiasm and initiative for learning and cultivate students’ communicative competence to realize the co-growth of knowledge and competence (Larmer, 2016).