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DEVELOPING STUDENTS' SOFT SKILLS THROUGH PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Kuchkeldiyeva Sayyora
English teacher of the Languages department, Yangi Asr university.
Nematullayeva Dilrabo
3rd year student of Yangi Asr University.
yangiasruniversiteti@gmail.com
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15106368
Abstract. This article examines the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in
cultivating essential soft skills among students, including teamwork, communication, critical
thinking, and problem-solving. Through a review of existing literature and qualitative data
collected from educators and students, this study highlights best practices for implementing PBL
in educational settings to foster soft skill development relevant to the 21st century workforce.
Key words: PBL (Project-based learning), soft skills, critical thinking, collaboration.
In this globalization period, modern education is requred to bring up new generation with
well-preparation for all spheres. At the same time young generation should be developed their soft
skills. Soft skills can be developed in different ways and in English teachers are also expected to
accomplish this task in their training. But before we should clarify what is “soft skill”? According
to the website investopedia.com
“
Soft skills are character traits and
that
characterize a person's ability to interact effectively with others.”
Soft skills are intangible and
subjective qualities that cannot be measured or quantified like hard skills. They include
communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability, time management,
leadership, creativity, emotional, intelligence. There are a lot of methods and approaches to
develop students’ soft skills and one of them is PBL- Project based learning. It is and approach or
model that involves students to use their language in real context.There some scholars gave
definitions and clear description for this approach.Project-based learning is a teaching method
involves a dynamic classroom approach in which it is believed that students acquire a deeper
knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems.
Project-Based
Learning (PBL) was born out of the work of John Dewey (1897) and his pedagogy is evident in
cycles of progressive education through the 20th century.
1
“Project-Based Learning utilizes
complex task, based on challenging question or problems that involve students in design, problem-
1
Babadjanova N .International Scientific Journal Theoretical & Applied Science p-ISSN: 2308-4944 (print) e-ISSN:
2409-0085 (online) Year: 2023 Issue: 06 Volume: 122 Published: 06.06.2023 http://T-Science.org
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solving, decision making, or investigate activities, give students the opportunity to work relatively
autonomously over extended periods of time, and culminate in realistic products or presentations.”
(Ani Marisah; Rr. Hasti Robiasih 2017)
2
The goal of project-based learning is to help students
develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that are essential for success
in the 21st century. By working on projects that are relevant to their lives and interests, students
are more engaged and motivated to learn.PBL is often used in STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and math) education, but it can be applied to any subject area. Examples of PBL
projects include designing a sustainable community, creating a business plan for a new product,
or developing a public health campaign. PBL is different from traditional classroom instruction
because it focuses on the process of learning rather than just the content. Students are encouraged
to take ownership of their learning and to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to find
solutions to real-world problems. The fundamental tenet of project-based learning is that students
learn and apply new information in a context of problem-solving by being immersed in real-world
situations that pique their attention and demand critical thought. The instructor takes on the role
of a facilitator, assisting students in formulating pertinent questions, organizing purposeful
assignments, providing guidance for the growth of social skills and knowledge, and closely
evaluating the lessons that have been acquired. Conventional projects provide an issue to be
resolved (e.g., how may the pollution in the schoolyard pond be reduced?) or a phenomena to
research (e.g., what causes rain?). PBL is the suggested style of delivery for important curricular
subjects, taking the place of other conventional modes of teaching including lectures, textbook-
workbook-driven activities, and investigative learning.
Studies of PBL in the second language field have been growing in numbers in various
journals. Findings of these studies indicate that PBL facilitates the learning of second and foreign
languages, academic discourse socialization, decision-making, critical thinking, and collaborative
work skills while providing deep engagement with subject matter content (e.g., Beckett, 2005,
2006) through the use of language as a medium (Beckett & Slater, 2017, 2018a, b)
3
. In terms of
its crucial functions, Stivers (2010) stated that PBL is an instructional approach which is built upon
learning activities and real tasks that have brought challenges for students to solve.
4
2
The Implementation Of Project-Based Learning To Improve Vocational Students’ Speaking Skills ,Ani Marisah;
Rr. Hasti Robiasih, annimarisa14@Gmail.Com; Hasti@Ustjogja.Ac.Id.
3
Beckett, G. H., & Slater, T. (2018). Technology-integrated project-based language learning. In C. Chapelle (Ed.),
The encyclopedia of applied linguistics (pp. 1–8). Oxford, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
doi:10.1002/9781405198431. wbeal1487
4
Stivers, L. (2010) Project-based learning. Education Psychology.
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According to Kilpatrick there are four types of projects. They are: Constructive Project,
Aesthetic Project, Problematic Project, Drill Project.
5
1. Constructive project: This kind of project involves practical or physical work like
building an item, creating a model, excavating a well, and acting out a play.
2. Aesthetic project: Through musical performances, the beautifying of objects, the
admiration of poetry, and other activities, pupils' appreciating abilities are fostered.
3. Problematic project: Students' ability to solve problems is developed via this kind of
project by using their experiences. Its foundation is in the cognitive realm. How would you solve
air pollution, for example? or how to transmit anything to a far-off location?
4.Drill project: The purpose of the drill project is for the pupils to master the necessary
skills and information. It raises the students' ability and work efficacy. For example, this kind of
activity may be used to teach swimming or singing drills.
The difference between the project method and the traditional one is that it helps to
activate the thinking of the students. According to A.A. Verbitsky, it is " active learning that forms
cognitive activity in students." motivation, but it should not be about coercion. activity, but about
the motivation for it". The project technology develops students' linguistic and intellectual abilities
and the need for autonomous English language learning.In this study we will focus on
Problematic
Project types. Problematic projects purposes to enhance students’ critical thinking, problem -
solving, decision making skills by accomplishing various tasks in group work or individual
projects. For instance, c
reating a business plan. In this project work
students work in teams to
develop a business idea, including market research, budgeting, and marketing strategies. This
project encourages students to think critically about economic principles, consumer needs, and
business operations.
In conclusion, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of contemporary education
in preparing the next generation for the challenges of a globalized world. As we've covered,
students must develop soft skills like communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-
solving if they are to succeed in a variety of settings. English teachers are essential to this process,
especially when it comes to using Project-Based Learning (PBL). This creative method develops
a deeper comprehension of the material and improves students' interpersonal skills in addition to
exposing them to real-world problems.
ANWAAR AHMAD GULZAR.GENERAL METHODS OF TEACHING OCTOBER 27, 20200 .Types of Projects
2025
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References
1.
Babadjanova N.International Scientific Journal Theoretical & Applied Science p-ISSN:
2308-4944 (print) e-ISSN: 2409-0085 (online) Year: 2023 Issue: 06 Volume: 122
Published: 06.06.2023 http://T-Science.org
2.
Ani Marisah; Rr. Hasti Robiasih.The Implementation Of Project-Based Learning To
Improve Vocational Students’ Speaking Skills , annimarisa14@Gmail.Com;
Hasti@Ustjogja.Ac.Id.
3.
Beckett, G. H., & Slater, T. (2018). Technology-integrated project-based language
learning. In C. Chapelle (Ed.), The encyclopedia of applied linguistics (pp. 1–8). Oxford,
UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. doi:10.1002/9781405198431. wbeal1487
4.
Stivers, L. (2010) Project-based learning. Education Psychology.
5.
ANWAAR AHMAD GULZAR.GENERAL METHODS OF TEACHING.
OCTOBER 27,
.Types of Projects
