ELT+technique+1+by+Alp+Kaan+KILINÇ

The first ELT technique i will offer is project-based language learning. Project-based language learning depends on experiential learning. It means "learning by doing". It provides the students an environment and opportunity to work together, to produce an output and to experience what they are learning. The pedagogical principles on which this technique is based are: 1- Promotion of manual activity instead of memorization and verbalism, 2- learners’ active participation in the learning process, and 3- exploitation of facts relating to the immediate reality as a source for learning. This technique has many benefits. As they will get a result - an output after the project process, students' self-confidence and self-esteem increase. They are actively engaged in the work so their autonomy is enhanced. Also, as they work together, their cooperation increases. They speak in a natural way and this leads to a development in their language skills. They tend to have high motivation and enjoyment as a result of a collaborative work. Also, their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities develop.

The followings are the stages of project-based learning

//Stage 1: Speculation//

This stage includes choice of project topic and sensitization about it, aiming at arousing interest and developing a climate conductive to speculation and investigation that will lead smoothly to the research process. Topic is chosen after a dialogue among all members of the group, and the teacher. The initial stimulus may emerge from the curriculum, or after a discussion about a contemporary local or wider topic of interest, or from reading a newspaper or magazine article (Brinia, 2006: 79).

//Stage 2: Designing the project activities// This stage includes formation of groups and assigning of roles, decisions concerning methodology, sources of information, activities that will take place, and places outside the classroom that students will visit. The better organized and more analytical the structuring of the activities, the easier and faster the research will be conducted (Fragoulis, 2008).

//Stage 3: Conducting the project activities// At this stage the groups implement the activities designed in the previous stage. Students gather information, process and categorize it. If deemed necessary, there may be intervals of information and feedback, in which students discuss issues related with cooperation among group members, problems of personal relations, and possible changes in group composition. The next phase is synthesis and processing of information gathered. The final products are displayed in the school or the wider community, and become a stimulus for thought and action for other students, teachers and local community. The project moves away from school and becomes social intervention, connecting the school with the community and real life (Fragoulis, 2008:35).

//Stage 4: Evaluation//

Evaluation refers to the assessment of the activities from participants and discussion about whether the initial aims and goals have been achieved, implementation of the process, and final products (Brinia, 2006:82). Evaluation also entails assessment of the experience at individual and group level, identification of errors and problems, but also appraisal of the rich cognitive and experiential material gathered. Evaluation includes evaluation from others, as well as self-evaluation.

[]

Yun Ding : Project-based learning has many benefits for language learning, as it is mentioned in this paper that it focus on practical usages. "learning by doing" can be well utilized in different age groups. Creating a task for the students to accomplish fosters student cooperation and a sense of responsibility. Help students to develop critical thinking is one of the major goal of teacher, in this type of activity which encourages autonomous learning, most of the work will be given to the students, teacher only monitors and intervene when they have questions or problems. The implementation of it should not be difficult, as long as the work assign by the tutor is doable.