A Study Of The Effect Of Project Based Learning On High School Students' English Speaking Abilities In International Curricula

In recent years,Project Based Learning(PBL)has drawn wide attention throughout the world.Educators in China have also shown great interest in PBL.Studies about PBL have become increasingly popular,especially in college English learning.However,there aren't many studies about the effect of PBL on high school students' English learning,especially those in international curricula.In the context of high school English teaching,this study centers on the following:1)How the application of PBL in English teaching affects high school students' interest and confidence in English learning and English speaking while studying international curricula.2)How the application of PBL in English teaching affects high school students' English speaking skills and English speaking test results.In the light of constructivism,this study carries out project based English learning among high school students in international curricula.This study designs scenarios and implements three projects in English speaking teaching using PBL.This paper reports one of these projects in details as a case study.Using methods of questionnaires,tests and class observation,this study compares students' attitudes towards English speaking learning and students' English speaking performance before and after the application of PBL in class,and compares the data from the experimental class and control class,in order to examine the influence and effect of PBL on students' interest and abilities in English speaking.Quantitative and qualitative data analysis shows the following:1.PBL actively promotes high school students' interest and confidence in English speaking.Students show more interest and confidence in daily English communication,English conversations in class,participation of English-related competitions and activities.2.It's still under exploration whether PBL affects high school students' English speaking test results,but it is clear that PBL improves students' abilities in autonomous learning,team cooperation,critical thinking,logical thinking and making English presentations.This study believes that the long term application of PBL in class will help students gain progress in their English speaking tests.