Insuk Han
Department of Liberal Arts, Pukyong National University, Republic of Korea
Alongside the increasing concern of the Korean state in preparing for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) era, Korean national (English language) curricula are being reconstructed to educate students about criticality, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the effective pedagogical approaches to facilitate these competencies alongside different disciplines including English language competency. Thus, teachers and teacher educators in Korean English language teaching (ELT) need quality-assured research cases that address PBL-based ELT programmes in the Korean context for their references. In this study, the qualities of research on PBL-based ELT programmes in Korea are systematically reviewed, focusing on aspects of the statement of research purposes, conceptual frameworks of PBL, procedures of PBL application, evaluation of the PBL effects, and revealed limitations, and implications for improvement. Based on the findings, implications for improving research on PBL in Korean ELT are discussed.
Ansarian, L., Lin, T.M., 2018. Problem-based language learning and teaching: An innovative approach to learn a new language. Springer: Singapore.
Bae, Y.J., Park, K.Y., 2009. A developmental study on the application of collaborative problem solving in English instruction. Journal of Educational Technology. 25(1), 137–170.
Brinegar, M., 2011. Korean EFL university student perceptions of problem based assessment for online language learning. English Language Teaching. 23(1), 25–44. (in Korean).
Brown, H.D., Lee, H., 2015. Teaching by principles (4th ed.). Pearson Education: New York.
Chang, H.J., 2020. PBL based ESP course design to develop the intercultural communicative competence. Soonchunhyang Journal of Humanities. 39(2), 289–313.
Cho. J.B., 2014. Development of problem-solving abilities based on English emotion through a structuralism PBL cooperative program. The Journal of Future Education. 4, 15–43.
Chun, H.J., 2020. Searching for the coexistence paradigm of human translator and machine translation: Focusing on PBL-based translation practicum class with AI machine translation tools. The Journal of Interpretation and Translation Education, 18(4), 59–94.
Chun, S.J., 2021. A case study on teaching “romanticism” through hybrid problem-based learning. The Journal of Teaching English Literature. 25(1), 171–196.
Han, I., 2022. Contextualization of communicative language teaching in Confucian heritage culture: Challenging pedagogic dichotomization. Sage Open. 12(1), 1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221079895
Han, I., 2022. Comprehension of the co-operation of professional identity and metacognition of English teachers in pedagogical problem solving. Behavioral Sciences. 12(2), 32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12020032
Han, I., 2023a. Improvement of students’ self-directed learning readiness through problem-based English language learning in Korea. Language Teaching Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13621688231186683
Han, I., 2023b. Change of the national English curricula in Korea and considerations for the next curriculum. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching. 12(1), 124–136. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v12n1p124
Han, I., 2024. Development of teacher professional identity through problem-based learning programmes. Professional identity development: continuing and enhancing professionalism in higher education. Routledge: London.
Hallinger, P., 2013. A conceptual framework for systematic review of research in educational leadership and management. Journal of Educational Administration. 51(2), 126–149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09578231311304670
Hallinger, P., 2014. Reviewing review of research in educational leadership: An empirical analysis. Educational Administration Quarterly. 50(4), 539–576. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X13506594
Hallinger, P., Bridges, E.M., 2017. A systematic review of research on the use of problem-based learning in the preparation and development of school leaders. Educational Administration Quarterly. 53(2), 255–288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X16659347
Hmelo-Silver, C., 2004. Problem-based learning: What and how do students learn? Education Psychology Review. 16(3), 235–266. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:EDPR.0000034022.16470.f3
Im, K.B., 2015. Teaching English conversation through problem-based learning for EFL undergraduate students. The Journal of English Language and Literature. 20(1), 633–655.
Kek, M.Y.C.A., Huijser, H., 2016. Problem-based learning into the future: Imagining an agile PBL ecology for learning. Springer: Singapore. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2454-2
Keum, H., 2019. A research on university faculty member’s perception of the barriers about PBL implementing. Journal of Digital Convergence. 17(10), 77–84.
Kim, B.J., 2015. Applying problem-based learning in university business English classes. Journal of Digital Convergence. 13(2), 91–103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14400/JDC.2015.13.2.91
Kim, H. J. (2014). Teaching-learning methods of e-PBL based course for enhancing self-directed learning: Focusing on business English at cyber universities. Studies in Foreign Language Education, 28(2), 411–432.
Kim, K.H., Lee, S.E., 2019. A study on improving English ability through problem based learning. The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 21. 10(3), 1267–1276.
Kim, M.K., Uhm, C.J., 2016. The effects of PBL-based English reading activities on Korean high school EFL students’ self-efficacy and academic achievement. The Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 21. 7(3), 143–163.
Kim, S. Y. (2021). Developing disciplinary writing proficiency of pre-service English teachers: Writing–to-learn through online PBL. Multimedia-Assisted Language Learning, 24(1), 37–63.
Kim, T.S., Oh, Y.I., 2019. A PBL approach to English pronunciation education: A case study of first-year students in English education department. Studies in Foreign Language Education. 33(4), 325–354.
Knoll, M., 1997. The project method: Its vocational education origin and international development. Journal of Industrial Teacher Education. 34(3), 59–80.
Kweon, S.H., 2014. Problem-based learning in literary studies: A case study on teaching “Survey of English literature I”. The Journal of Teaching English Literature. 18(1), 29–53.
Kwon, E.Y., 2017. A mobile-mediated problem-based learning program in the college EFL classroom: Participant perceptions and impact on listening and reading skills. English Language and Linguistics. 23(3), 101–131.
L’Ecuyer, K. M., Pole, D., Leander, S.A., 2015. The use of PBL in an interprofessional education course for health care professional students. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning. 9(1), 9–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/1541-5015.1497
Lee, D.W., 2020. Teaching English syntax in ways to apply PBL: An experimental research on lecture and team learning. Studies on English Language & Literature. 62(2), 233–256.
Lee, S., Lo, Y.G., Chin, T., 2021. Practicing multiliteracies to enhance EFL learners’ meaning making process and language development: A multimodal problem-based approach. Computer Assisted Language Learning. 34(1–2), 66–91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2019.1614959
Lee, Y.H., Kim, S.H., 2019. Action research on problem-based learning (PBL) lessons at a university: Focusing on vocabulary skills and learning attitudes. Studies in British and American Language and Literature. 134, 241–265.
Lee, Y.K., 2017a. Use of corpus for problem-based learning in a Korean graduate English grammar course. The Linguistic Association of Korea Journal. 25(4), 83–102.
Lee, Y.K., 2017b. The effect of problem-based learning on Korean college learners’ English vocabulary learning. Studies in Modern Grammar. 96, 253–270.
Lim, C., Kye, B., 2019. Classroom revolution through SMART education in the republic of Korea. Paris United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Available online: http://iled.snu.ac.kr/wp-content/uploads/kboard_attached/16/202002/202002040323551019884.pdf
Lin, L., 2018. Integrating the problem-based learning approach into a web-based English reading course. Journal of Educational Computing Research. 56(1), 105–133. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633117705960
Malebese, M.L., Tlali, M.F., 2020. Teaching of English first additional language in rural learning environments: A case for problem-based learning. International Journal of Inclusive Education. 24(14), 1540–1551. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2018.1544300
Meijer, P.C., Oolbekkink, H.W., Pillen, M., et al., 2014. Pedagogies of developing teacher identity. International Teacher Education: Promising Pedagogies (Part A). Emerald Group Publishing Limited: Bingley, United Kingdom. pp. 293–309.
MOE (Ministry of Education), 2015. The 2015 revised national English curriculum. MOE: Seoul.
MOE (Ministry of Education) (2021). The outline of 2022 revised national curriculum. Seoul: MOE. Retrieved from https://ncic.re.kr/mobile.kri.org4.inventoryList.doMOE (Ministry of Education) (2022). English language curriculum. 2022-33, Volume 14. Seoul: MOE.
OECD, 2019. OECD future of education and skills 2030. OECD Publishing: Paris.
Park, I.H., 2020. An instructional design for PBL-based English classes in elementary schools. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial. 21(3), 564–568.
Park, J.E., 2014. Effective teaching method of Shakespeare’s works. English21, 27(4), 1–21.
Park, K., 2012. Exploration of the difficulties in applying problem-based learning (PBL) to the class and the solution. The Journal of Curriculum and Evaluation. 15(1), 81–102.
Park, S.J., Lee, Y.O., Won, H.S., 2022. Strategy analysis in PBL-applied classes in English and Arts: Case study. Convergence Studies in English Language & Literature. 7(2), 179–198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55986/cell.2022.7.2.179
Park, S.Y., Cho, H.S., 2012. The effect of problem-based learning on real-life listening and speaking abilities in elementary English learning. Journal of Research in Curriculum Instruction. 16(3), 689–708.
Savery, J.R., 2006. Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning. 1(1), 9–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/1541-5015.1002
Schroeder, E.E., Zarinnia, E.A., 2001. Problem-based learning: Develop information literacy through real problems. Knowledge Quest. 30(1), 34–35.
Shin, M.H., 2019. Study of English teaching method by convergence of project-based learning and problem-based learning for English communication. Journal of the Korea Convergence Society. 10(2), 83–88.
Stoller, F., 2006. Establishing a theoretical foundation for project-based learning in second and foreign language contexts. Project-based second and foreign language education: Past, present, and future. Information Age: Greenwich, CT. pp. 19–40.
Torp, L., Sage, S., 2002. Problems as possibilities” Problem-based learning for K-16 education. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria, VA.
Walker, A., Leary, H., 2009. A problem-based learning meta-analysis: Differences across problem types, implementation types, disciplines, and assessment levels. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning. 3(1), 6–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/1541-5015.1061
Wiggins, G., 1998. Educative assessment: Designing assessments to inform and improve student performance. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA.
Won, Y.M., Park, Y.J., 2021. An application of flipped-learning-based-PBL model: A case of middle school English class. Journal of the Korea Convergence Society. 12(11), 115–149.
Xie, Q., 2022. Applying problem-based approach in business English courses for China’s English majors. Sage Open. 12(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221093349
Yun, K.J., Maeng, U.K., 2021. The effect of PBL based blended instruction utilizing AI platforms on L2 learning. Modern English Education. 22(3), 45–56.
Zhang, L., Ma, Y., 2023. A study of the impact of project-based learning on student learning effects: A meta-analysis study. Frontiers in Psychology. 14, 1202728. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1202728
Copyright © 2024 Insuk Han
This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
