In learning English as a foreign language (EFL), students face difficulties in acquiring the skills, hence they are reluctant to speak the English language in their classrooms (Savaşçı, 2014). Various factors have been identified as the contributing factors to the students’ difficulties in acquiring the English Language, which include over reliance on their mother tongue, inadequate time allocated for the lesson, negative attitudes of students’ toward speaking English, lack of motivation, and inadequate reading materials (Tokoz-Goktepe, 2014). Motivation is the most significant factor among the factors mentioned (Cook, 2000) and hence prompted the focus of this study. It is argued that Libyan EFL learners are less motivated to learn English (Mohammed, 2014; Alhmali, 2007; Abidin, Mohammadi and Alzwari, 2012; Al-Zahrani, 2008). Mohammed (2014) reported that one of the main reasons why Libyan EFL learners are not motivated toward learning English is due to the inappropriate teaching technique employed in Libyan EFL classroom due to the fact that the teaching techniques employed in Libyan EFL classroom may not be conducive for language acquisition. Against this back drop this study sets the objective of exploring how hybrid Problem-based learning can improve the motivation of Libyan EFL speaker students. A case study approach was employed to bring evidence from multiple data sources to fully address the subject. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, questionnaires were administered to 15 students and two lecturers and observations were conducted during the introduction of the Hybrid Problem-based English Lessons (HPBL). Interviews were also conducted after the series of HPBL lessons. The findings revealed that familiarity with HPBL, peer collaboration, tutor support and group presentations motivate the students to learn and speak the English Language. These factors were also found to have motivated the students to work independently to achieve high performance in speaking skills. The HPBL approach could be considered as an alternative to teaching English for the Libyan EFL speakers.
Keywords: Classroom, English, hybrid-problem-based-learning, motivation, speaking.
Abidin, M.J.Z., Mohammadi, M. P, & Alzwari, H. 201,. EFL Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning English Language: The Case Of Libyan Secondary School Students. Journal of Applied Linguistics, (9). 55.
Alajmi, N. 2014. Factors That Influence Performance In A Problem-Based Learning Tutorial. Retrieved from online thesis of ProQuest.
Alhmali, J. 2007. Student Attitudes In The Context Of The Curriculum In Libyan Education In Middle And High Schools. (PhD Thesis, University of Glasgow).
Al-Hussein, S. M. 2014. Teaching English As A Foreign Language In Libya. Scientific Research Journal (SCIRJ), (2)11.
Al-Zahrani, M. 2008. Libyan EFL Learners’ Attitudes Towards English: An Exploratory Study. Language And Translation, (9). 88-99.
Armstrong, E. G. 1997. A Hybrid Model Of Problem-Based Learning. The Challenge Of Problem-Based Learning. 2, 137-150.
Barell, J. F. 2006. Problem-Based Learning: An Inquiry Approach. Corwin Press.
Barrows, H. S. 1985. How To Design A Problem-Based Curriculum For The Preclinical Years. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.
Bråten, I., Strømsø, H. I., & Salmerón, L. 2011. Trust And Mistrust When Students Read Multiple Information Sources About Climate Change. Learning And Instruction, 21(2), 180-192.
Brown, S. W., Lawless, K. A., & Boyer, M. A. 2013. Promoting Positive Academic Dispositions Using A Web-Based PBL Environment: The Globaled 2 Project. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, 7(1), 67-90.
Cook, V. 2000. Linguistics And Second Language Acquisition. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press and Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
Creswell, J. W. 2013. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, And Mixed Methods Approaches. London: Sage publications.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. 2000. The “What” And “Why” Of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs And The Self-Determination Of Behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227-268.
Dornyei, Z. 2008. Motivation And Motivating In The Foreign Language Classroom. The Modern Language Journal, (78)3, 273-284.
Dörnyei, Z., & Csizer, K. 1998. Ten Commandments For Motivating Language Learners: Results Of An Empirical Study. Language Teaching Research, 4, 203-229.
Ellis, R. 1994. The Study Of Second Language Acquisition. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press by arrangement with Oxford University Press.
Elmadwi, H. H & Shepherd, R. 2014. A Critical Study Of The Problems Faced By The Libyan Students In Reading And Comprehension Of English As A Foreign Language. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (19)1,
Farmer, E. A. 2004. Faculty Development For Problem‐Based Learning. European Journal Of Dental Education, 8(2), 59-66.
Florez, M. C., & Burt, M. 2001. Beginning To Work With Adult English Language Learners: Some Considerations. Retrieved http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/ digests/beginQA.html.
Hall, G. 2011. Exploring English Language Teaching: Language in Action. London: Routledge.
Herrington, J., & Oliver, R. 2000. An Instructional Design Framework For Authentic Learning Environments. Educational Technology Research and Development, 48(3), 23-48.
Huang, K. S., & Wang, T. P. 2012. Utilizing Problem-Based Learning (PBL) In A University English Interpretation Class. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, 8(1), 7.
Iwamoto, D. H., Hargis, J., & Vuong, K. 2016. The Effect Of Project-Based Learning On Student Performance: An Action Research Study. International Journal for Scholarship of Technology Enhanced Learning, 1(1), 24-42
Li, D. 2013. Facilitating Motivation: Implementing Problem-Based Learning Into The Science Classroom. (Master thesis available at ProQuest.com)
Lightbrown, P. M. & Spada N. 2001. Factors Affecting Second Language Learning. In C.N. Candlin & N. Mercer (Eds.), English Language Teaching In Its Social Context, Pp. 28-43. London: Routledge.
Liu, M., Cho, Y., & Schallert, D. L. 2006. Middle School Students' Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, And Achievement In A Computer-Enhanced Problem-Based Learning Environment. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 17(3), 225.
Margetson, D. 1991. Why Is Problem-Based Learning A Challenge. The Challenge Of Problem Based Learning, 42-50.
Martin, L., West, J., & Bill, K. 2008. Incorporating Problem-Based Learning Strategies To Develop Learner Autonomy And Employability Skills In Sports Science Undergraduates. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sports and Tourism Education (Pre-2012), 7(1), 18.
Merriam, S. B. 2009. Dealing With Validity, Reliability, And Ethics. Qualitative Research: A Guide To Design And Implementation, 209-235.
Mohammed, S. I. 2014. Exploring Factors That Inhibit EFL Learners From Speaking English Effectively: A Case Study Of Libyan Students. Master's thesis, University of Malta.
Mossuto, M. 2009. Problem-Based Learning: Student Engagement, Learning And Contextualized Problem-Solving. Occasional Paper. ERIC Reproduction Center ED No. 507339.
Murphy, P.K., & Alexander, P. A. 2000. A Motivated Exploration Of Motivation Terminology. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25, pp. 3–53.
Neuman, W., & Robson, K. (2012). Qualitative Interviewing. In Basics Of Social Research: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (2nd Canadian ed.), pp. 251-267. Toronto: Pearson Canada
Norman, G. R., & Schmidt, H. G. 1992. The Psychological Basis Of Problem-Based Learning: A Review Of Evidence. Academic Medicine, 67 (9), 557-65
Palmer, K. A. 2009. Understanding Human Language: An In-Depth Exploration Of The Human Facility For Language. Retrieved from StudentPulse.com.
Orafi, S. M. S., & Borg, S. 2009. Intentions And Realities In Implementing Communicative Curriculum Reform. System, 37(2), 243-253.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. 2000. Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions And New Directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25, pp. 54-67.
Saldana, J. 2009. The Coding Manual For Qualitative Researchers. London: Sage
Savaşçı, M. 2014. Why Are Some Students Reluctant To Use L2 In EFL Speaking Classes? An Action Research At Tertiary Level. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116(2014), 2682-2686.
Schmidt, H. G., De Volder, M. L., De Grave, W. S., Moust, J. H., & Patel, V. L. 1989. Explanatory Models In The Processing Of Science Text: The Role Of Prior Knowledge Activation Through Small-Group Discussion. Journal of Educational Psychology, 81(4), 610.
Spencer, J. A., & Jordan, R. K. 1999. Learner Centred Approaches In Medical Education. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 318(7193), 1280.
Stepien, W. J., Gallagher, S. A., & Workman, D. 1993. Problem-Based Learning For Traditional And Interdisciplinary Classrooms. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 16, 338-357.
Suwaed, H. A. 2014. How University Teachers Deal With Challenges While Teaching English Writing At University Level In Libya. Journal of ELT and Applied Linguistics, 2(4), 73-78
Tokoz-Goktepe, F. 2014. Speaking Problems Of 9th Grade High School Turkish Learners Of L2 English And Possible Reasons For Those Problems: Exploring The Teachers And Students’ Perspectives. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116 (2014), 1875-1879.
Wang, F. X. 2008. Motivation And English Achievement: An Exploratory And Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of A New Measure For Chinese Students Of English Learning. North American Journal of Psychology, 10(3) 633-646.
Wood, D. F. 2003. Problem Based Learning. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 326(7384), 328.
Wu, Y. 2006. Applying A Hybrid Problem-Based Learning Method To The Teaching Of Computer Programming. The China Papers, 6, 63-66.