All That I Studied Gave Me a Clearer Goal” Students’ Voice: Project-Based Learning in ESP Course
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26877/eternal.v16i1.960Keywords:
Case study, Ecotourism and Hospitality Management, English for Specific Purposes, Project-Based Learning, Students' PerceptionsAbstract
English as the main language held an enormous role in the Ecotourism and Hospitality sectors, moreover in preparing students for the working field. This study examines the use of a project-based learning (PBL) approach in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course, specifically in an English for Ecotourism and Hospitality Management class for Thai students. It focuses on students’ perceptions during and after the implementation of PBL. Data were collected through interviews, revealing that participants experienced happiness and enjoyment throughout the process. Additionally, they gained greater clarity about their future goals upon completing their projects. The findings suggest that PBL in ESP not only strengthens students’ knowledge and skills but also promotes their mental well-being. The study concludes with implications and recommendations for future research on PBL and ESP.
References
Alhumaidan, G. S., & Alghamdi, A. M. (2023). The English Language Needs of Hospitality and Hotel Management Students at a Saudi University: Integrating Agile Philosophy into ESP. International Journal of English Language Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.5296/ijele.v11i1.20730
Almulla, M. A. (2020). The Effectiveness of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approach as a Way to Engage Students in Learning. SAGE Open, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020938702
Anwar, M., Yusri, Y., & Mantasiah, R. (2022). Project Based Learning in Tourism Subjects to Increase Student’s Academic Motivation and Life Skills. Indonesian Journal of Educational Studies , 25(1).
Arnó-Macià, E., Aguilar-Pérez, M., & Tatzl, D. (2020). Engineering students’ perceptions of the role of ESP courses in internationalized universities. English for Specific Purposes, 58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2019.12.001
Barros, M. C. V., de Morais, M. L. P. V., de Lima, L. M., Ribeiro, A. L. G., Custódio, I. B., Hattori, W. T., Raimondi, G. A., & Paulino, D. B. (2021). Project-based learning for teaching and learning public health in medical care: An experience report. Interface: Communication, Health, Education, 25. https://doi.org/10.1590/INTERFACE.200167
Beneroso, D., & Robinson, J. (2022). Online project-based learning in engineering design: Supporting the acquisition of design skills. Education for Chemical Engineers, 38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2021.09.002
Chamorro, G., Vázquez-Amador, M., & Garrido-Hornos, M. D. C. (2022). ESP for Tourism: Does It Meet Employers’ Needs and Prepare Students for the Workplace? In Mediating Specialized Knowledge and L2 Abilities: New Research in Spanish/English Bilingual Models and Beyond. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87476-6_8
Cloudia Ho, Y. Y. (2020). Communicative language teaching and English as a foreign language undergraduates’ communicative competence in Tourism English. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2020.100271
Diachkova, Y., Sazhko, L., Shevchenko, L., & Syzenko, A. (2021). Global Issues in ESP Classroom: Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education. Arab World English Journal, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no1.26
Eka, C., Tjipto Subroto, W., & Hakim, L. (2022). Development of Modules Based on Scientific Approach and Project Based Learning on Economic Subject. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.35877/454ri.eduline1079
Hidayati, D., Novianti, H., Khansa, M., Slamet, J., & Suryati, N. (2023). Effectiveness Project-Based Learning in ESP Class: Viewed from Indonesian Students‘ Learning Outcomes. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.3.1839
Iswati, L., & Triastuti, A. (2021). Voicing the challenges of esp teaching: Lessons from esp in non-english departments. Studies in English Language and Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v8i1.17301
Kangai, D., Aman, E. E., & Papp-Váry, Á. F. (2024). Ecotourism Practices, Perspectives, and Consumer Preferences, Attitudes, and Expectations: Post-COVID-19 Review. In Tourist Behaviour and the New Normal, Volume II. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45866-8_9
Kavlu, A. (2020). The Effect of Project-Based Learning on First-Year Undergraduate Students in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Courses. International Journal of English Linguistics, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v10n4p227
Le Van, T., & Hai Tien, H. (2021). INTEGRATING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING INTO ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES CLASSES AT TERTIARY LEVEL: PERCEIVED CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 37(4). https://doi.org/10.25073/2525-2445/vnufs.4642
Lertchalermtipakoon, P., Wongsubun, U., & Kawinkoonlasate, P. (2021). Need Analysis: English Language Use by Students in the Tourism and Hospitality and Industry. English Language Teaching, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n3p59
Meng, N., Dong, Y., Roehrs, D., & Luan, L. (2023). Tackle implementation challenges in project-based learning: a survey study of PBL e-learning platforms. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10202-7
Morais, P., Ferreira, M. J., & Veloso, B. (2021). Improving Student Engagement with Project-Based Learning: A Case Study in Software Engineering. Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias Del Aprendizaje, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1109/RITA.2021.3052677
Nasir, P. E., & Dermawan, R. (2022). Problem Identification and Solution Design: Project Based Learning Approach in Improving Students Active Participation and Confidence in English Class. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Educational Development and Quality Assurance (ICED-QA 2021), 650. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220303.055
Ngadiso, N., Sarosa, T., Asrori, M., Drajati, N. A., & Handayani, A. (2021). Project-based Learning (PBL) in EFL learning: Lesson from Indonesia. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v13i2.558
Ngo, J., & Ngadiman, A. (2019). The Impacts of Edmodo on Students’ Performance in ESP Classrooms. KnE Social Sciences, 3(10). https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v3i10.3918
Ngui, G. K., & Lay, Y. F. (2020). The effect of emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, subjective well-being and resilience on student teachers’ perceived practicum stress: A Malaysian case study. European Journal of Educational Research, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.9.1.277
Noor, N. (2019). A Needs Analysis of English Oral Communication Skills Among Tourism Management Students. Faculty of Languages and Linguistics University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur.
Pabro-Maquidato, I. M. (2021). The Experience of English Speaking Anxiety and Coping Strategies: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(2).
Ruankool, N. (2022). A ‘learning community’ as a social justice model for Catholic education in Thailand. International Studies in Catholic Education, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/19422539.2022.2104555
Sen, V., & Walter, P. (2020). Community-based ecotourism and the transformative learning of homestay hosts in Cambodia. Tourism Recreation Research, 45(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2019.1692171
Servant-Miklos, V. F. C., & Kolmos, A. (2022). Student conceptions of problem and project based learning in engineering education: A phenomenographic investigation. Journal of Engineering Education, 111(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/jee.20478
Silitonga, L. M., Wiyaka, W., & Prastikawati, E. F. (2024). Boosting Students’ ESP Vocabulary by Utilizing AI Chatbot. ETERNAL (English Teaching Journal), 15(2), 275–283. https://doi.org/10.26877/eternal.v15i2.605
Stefanova, A. (2021). STUDYING THE ESP NEEDS OF STUDENTS OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIO-POLITICAL STUDIES. Journal of Teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.22190/JTESAP2104627S
Suharyanto, Prasetyo, A., & Lutfiyah, L. (2021). IMPROVING STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO DEVELOP ESP MATERIALS USING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING APPROACH. IMPROVING STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO DEVELOP ESP MATERIALS USING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING APPROACH, 4(2).
Suprayogi, S., & Budi Eko, P. (2020). The Implementation of Virtual Exhibition Project in English for Tourism Class for University Students. Academic Journal Perspective : Education, Language, and Literature, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.33603/perspective.v8i2.4210
Susetyarini, E., Nurohman, E., & Husamah, H. (2022). Analysis of Students’ Collaborative, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Creative Abilities through Problem-Based Learning. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengkajian Ilmu Pendidikan: E-Saintika, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.36312/esaintika.v6i1.584
Trujeque-Moreno, E. E., Romero-Fernández, A., Esparragoza-Barragán, A., & Villa-Jaimes, C. J. (2021). Needs analysis in the english for specific purposes (ESP) approach: The case of the benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Mextesol Journal, 45(2).
