Project-based approach in the English oral production

Abstract

This research work was developed aiming to determine the effectiveness of applying Project-Based Learning activities for developing the students’ English oral production (speaking skill). A quali-quantitative approach was used in this research; the qualitative aspect was embodied by the observation of students’ performance in class, whilst the quantitative point of view regards the statistical analysis of students’ scores obtained in the pre and post-test. Besides, the population was made of fifty-two students from Unidad Educativa Pelileo. They belonged to the A.1.2 elementary level according with the student’s book of the Ministry of Education and were divided into a control group with twenty-seven students and an experimental group with twenty-five learners. Furthermore, a quasi-experimental research was carried out with the implementation of project-based learning activities in English classes. Moreover, this research was developed through a bibliographic and field research. On the one hand, bibliographic because the information on this research was obtained from already published books; on the other hand, field research because there was an experimental group that was observed and subjected to a treatment with project-based learning. Additionally, the instrument used in this research was the speaking part of a Key English Test (KET), it was administered before and after the treatment based on project-based learning activities. In addition, a t-test was carried out in order to verify the hypothesis having as a result that the null hypothesis was rejected and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. Thus, the treatment with project-based learning contributed to a better performance in the students’ English oral production. It also showed a significant improvement on the scores in the three parameters i.e., grammar and vocabulary, pronunciation, and interactive communication established on the instrument used to assess the speaking part (Ket test).