Integrating project-based learning, taskbased language teaching approach and youtube in the ESP class: a study on students’ motivation

Abstract

ESP courses have been considered as crucial for the academic training of future professionals in different areas of knowledge. Their broad spectrum mainly includes the mastery of a foreign language, the learning of specific terminology, and the development of skills related to students’ career needs. Recent research has examined the implementation of the task-based language teaching approach, the design and accomplishment of projects, and the use of technology for the enhancement of digital competence. Nevertheless, few studies have addressed the combination of these three key elements in the ESP class and its effects on students’ motivation. This study examines the effects of merging of project-based learning sequenced into different communicative tasks on ESP students’ motivation. A research project was designed and structured in communicative tasks integrating the use of YouTube as a source of multimodal input. To measure motivation, an adaptation of the intrinsic motivation questionnaire was administered to students. Results reveal high mean scores in the motivation subscales studied along with positive correlations between motivation and participants’ academic performance. These findings may contribute to the body of research that appraises the value of merging different teaching methodologies and approaches for the teaching and learning of ESP disciplines.