Content Creators: PBL and social media to enhance motivation and improve oral and written production in the EFL class

Abstract

[eng] Motivation has proven to be a fundamental aspect in the learning process and increasingly important in the EFL classroom. In order to overcome the problem of demotivation, new education laws worldwide aim to change traditional teacher-centred classrooms into more dynamic contexts, giving students a more active role in class. Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching method that encourages active learning and exposes students to learn in a meaningful way. PBL also helps students to be more self-sufficient, as well as creative and critical thinkers. Technology has also proven to contribute to active learning and to bringing dynamism into the educational context. Given that social media is widely used in our society, especially for communication, its integration in the EFL classroom can be a good chance of engaging students in real and meaningful tasks. However, young teenagers are not always aware of how to make responsible use of such platforms or the risks such platforms may entail. This paper deals with enhancing motivation and improving oral and production skills and presents a didactic proposal to do so, by combining PBL and the use of Web 2.0 tools. Students will also work on digital ethics and citizenship skills, which are crucial in the digital era we live in.