A Development of the business English reading course using a problem-based learning approach to enhance English learning outcomes of the university of the Thai Chamber of Commerce undergraduate students

Abstract

To develop a business English reading course using the problem-based learning approach (PBL) and to investigate its effects on undergraduate students’ reading English for business communication abilities, problem solving skills and attitudes toward PBL. Research procedure included 2 stages. The first stage was development of the course. The second stage was implementation of the course. The results of the research derived the business English reading course using a problem-based learning approach. The course was consisted of the rationale and its five major components including objectives, content, instructional process, materials and assessment and evaluation. In investigating the effectiveness of the course, 24 English for business communication-major undergraduate students participated in the study for 16 weeks. The research instruments included the reading English for business communication test (the REBC test), the problem-solving skills inventory (the PSSI), PBL log, and PBL attitude questionnaire. Pre-and post-test scores of both the REBC test and the PSSI were analyzed by Dependent Sample t-test. The attitude scores were analyzed by X, S.D. The qualitative data from PBL log were analyzed by Content Analysis. It was found that the students’ post-test mean score of the REBC test was statistically higher than their pretest mean score (p<0.05). The magnitude of the effect size was large. Also, the students’ post-test mean score of the PSSI was statistically higher than their pretest mean score (p<0.05). The magnitude of the effect size was medium. Data obtained from PBL log demonstrated that more than 50 percent of the students reported that they had improved their reading English for business communication, and problem-solving skills. PBL attitude questionnaire revealed that all students had highly positive PBL attitudes regarding most aspects explored. All these findings indicate that the problem-based business English reading course enhanced the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce undergraduate students’ reading English for business communication abilities, problem solving skills and positive attitudes toward the problem-based learning approach.