• Enable learners to transfer concepts taught in settings that are similar to real-world contexts into future
settings and situations as learners think that language learning is related to their everyday lives (Sidman
Taveau & Milner-Bolotin, 2001).
• Strengthen language learners’ diverse needs and skills in collaborative nature of project work (Lawrence,
1997).
• Equip learners with project-work related skills namely: to plan, organize, negotiate, make consensus, to
take responsibility, research and present information (Stein, 1995). These skills are considered necessary by
employers in workplace.
• Motivate learners to learn language and to improve their language competence (Ellis, 1994).
• Enable learners to acquire meaningful input and expression from their peers and materials that is beyond
their existing linguistic competence, that is, i+1 (Ellis, 1994).
Incorporating PjBL in Workplace Communication course unquestionably improves language learning and at the
same time meets the requirement of the employers. This is well supported by Moss, Van Duzer and Carol (1998)
who affirm that project-based work lends itself well to evaluation of both language skills and employability skills.
This study aims to find out the relevance of PjBL in relation to equip learners with the employability skills required
by employers. Literature and previous studies have shown that PjBL has contributed to produce students who are
dynamic and competent in carrying out projects in accordance to the needs of the workforce in the 21st century.
2. Research objectives
i. To investigate students’ perceptions on the process of project based learning in project work
ii. To find out the collaborative skills acquired by the students in project based learning
iii. To find out to what extent project based learning integrated in project work has equipped students with the
employability skills needed in the real workplace environment
3. Literature Review
In real workplace settings, skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, managing conflicts, team working
and being