learners are able 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. Results showed that 68.9%
learned to use formal and informal language in the appropriate context of discourse (B7) during their social
interactions with group members and interviewees.
In carrying out this project work, respondents were asked to conduct interview with employers to gain
information regarding problems at workplace. In item B8, respondents were asked whether they learned how to
conduct an interview. 50% of the respondents agreed that project-based learning enabled them to learn ways of
conducting an interview and surprisingly, the other half of the respondents were unsure (B8). This may be due to
students’ lack of confidence, low proficiency, high anxiety, intimidation and shyness in speaking. In addition, they
may lack the appropriate social skills in conducting effective interviews. This result corresponds with Bell (2000)
who states that a project-based course demands from students a heightened level of self-confidence, motivation, and
ability to organize their own work plans.
6. Conclusion
The findings of this study have shown that PjBL facilitates the transference and inculcation of workplace related
skills among the subjects. PjBL has successfully exposed students to various skills such as team-working, managing
conflicts, decision making, and communication skills. Engaging themselves in these skills has assisted learners to be
more independent, confident, and productive in generating and discussing ideas. Tretten et al. (1997) emphasizes
that in this productive work (PjBL), students not only learn, but also strengthen their work related skills, their
critical thinking skills and their productivity. The above skills learned through PjBL are those sought by today’s
employers and apparently have met the learning outcomes of project work as stipulated in the Workplace
Communication course. Upon meeting future needs, learners must acquire collaborative, negotiating, planning, and
organizational skills. By implementing PjBL, we are preparing our students to meet the 21st century with
preparedness and a repertoire of skills they can use successfully (Bell, 2010).
6. Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for sponsoring this study
entitled 'Project-based Learning: Promoting Meaningful Language Learning for Workplace Skills' (Project code :
UKM-PTS-122-2010).