Problem Based-Learning: Method of Enhancing and Encouraging the Motivation of English Department Students at English Pragmatics Class

Abstract

Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the teaching methods implemented at Universitas Andalas to achieve the objectives of teaching and accelerate the teaching and learning process. PBL is considered suitable to encourage students to be more active in the class. This article reports research on the implementation of PBL in English Pragmatics Class at the English Department, Universitas Andalas. The objectives are to assure the effectiveness of this method in enhancing the students' motivation in learning English Pragmatics. The data were collected by distributing questionnaires to the students at the end of the semester. The PBL was applied by dividing the students into small groups, with the guidance of a mentor, for four months. The responses of the students to the questionnaires reveals that problem-based learning is effective in both enhancing the students' motivation and encouraging students' participation in the learning process.