incorporating project work (1)

Incorporating Incorporating Project Work Project Work

into the into the ClassroomClassroom

© Ed-Links-Morocco© Ed-Links-Morocco

The Project Work TraditionThe Project Work Tradition

English language educators have been English language educators have been exploring and exploiting the tradition of exploring and exploiting the tradition of

project workproject work since the mid- since the mid-seventies when ELT married principles seventies when ELT married principles

of of learner-centredness, learner learner-centredness, learner autonomy autonomy and and task-based learningtask-based learning..


Defining Project WorkDefining Project Work

Project work is "an approach to learning Project work is "an approach to learning which complements mainstream which complements mainstream

methods and which can be used with methods and which can be used with almost all levels, ages and abilities of almost all levels, ages and abilities of

students" students" (Haines 1989:1).(Haines 1989:1).


(continued)(continued)

Project-based learning is as a Project-based learning is as a variable tool to fully integrate variable tool to fully integrate language and content learning language and content learning

for teachers working in a for teachers working in a variety of instructional settings.variety of instructional settings.


Why Project Work in ELT?Why Project Work in ELT?►MMotivation is increasedotivation is increased►All four skills are integratedAll four skills are integrated►Autonomous learning is promoted Autonomous learning is promoted ►Tasks and language input are authenticTasks and language input are authentic►Interpersonal relations are developedInterpersonal relations are developed►Content and methodology are negotiatedContent and methodology are negotiated


Implementation PlanImplementation Plan► Initial StageInitial Stage

Select a topicSelect a topic Discuss the topicDiscuss the topic Develop questions and assign tasksDevelop questions and assign tasks

► Implementation StageImplementation Stage Provide resourcesProvide resources Suggest ways to investigate the topicSuggest ways to investigate the topic Enable students to be aware of the work Enable students to be aware of the work

being done through class discussion and being done through class discussion and displaydisplay

(continued)(continued)► Concluding StageConcluding Stage

Arrange opportunities Arrange opportunities to share the end-to share the end-product and product and experiencesexperiences

Offer pupils ways of Offer pupils ways of personalising their new personalising their new knowledge knowledge

Reflect on the project Reflect on the project (process & product) (process & product) and record feedbackand record feedback

Role of the TeacherRole of the Teacher

►Language Language ConsultantConsultant

►Designer/EngineerDesigner/Engineer►CoordinatorCoordinator►Resource Provider Resource Provider ►AssessorAssessor

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Successful ProjectSuccessful Project

► Open-mindedness, respect for Open-mindedness, respect for evidenceevidence

►Contribution and participation by each Contribution and participation by each and every individual in the project and every individual in the project teamteam

►Group work requiring co-operation and Group work requiring co-operation and development of interpersonal and development of interpersonal and collaborative skillscollaborative skills

Assessing a ProjectAssessing a Project► Why assess?Why assess?

To improve the quality of the learning and To improve the quality of the learning and teaching processteaching process

►What to assess?What to assess? Not just the end productNot just the end product Pupils’ performance throughout the process Pupils’ performance throughout the process

e.g. their understanding of the topic, grasp e.g. their understanding of the topic, grasp of new knowledge and skills, dedication to of new knowledge and skills, dedication to the project, cooperation with others, etc.the project, cooperation with others, etc.

(continued)(continued)

► Who and whom to assess?Who and whom to assess? Teacher assessmentTeacher assessment

►Teacher assessing studentsTeacher assessing students Peer assessmentPeer assessment

►Students assessing each otherStudents assessing each other Self-assessmentSelf-assessment

►Students assessing themselvesStudents assessing themselves►Teacher assessing himself/herselfTeacher assessing himself/herself


Some Possible Drawbacks of Some Possible Drawbacks of Project WorkProject Work

► Learners using their own languageLearners using their own language. . If the If the class are monolingual they may use their L1 a class are monolingual they may use their L1 a lot. lot.

► Some learners doing nothingSome learners doing nothing. . By giving By giving more freedom to the learners you may also be more freedom to the learners you may also be giving them the freedom to do nothing! giving them the freedom to do nothing!

►Groups working at different speeds.Groups working at different speeds. One One group may have 'finished' the project after a group may have 'finished' the project after a couple of hours and say they have nothing to do.couple of hours and say they have nothing to do.

References:References:►Haines, S Haines, S 1989. Projects for the EFL 1989. Projects for the EFL

classroom London: Nelsonclassroom London: Nelson►Henry, J. Henry, J. 1994.1994. Teaching through Teaching through

projects. London: Kogan Page Limited.projects. London: Kogan Page Limited.►Papandreou, A. Papandreou, A. 1994. An application 1994. An application

of the projects approach to EFL. English of the projects approach to EFL. English Teaching Forum, 32, 3, pp.41-42.Teaching Forum, 32, 3, pp.41-42.


incorporating project work (1)

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