Project-based Learning: “Teens’ Magazine†- A Case Study in an English Language Classroom in Albania

Over the past 5 years, Project-Based Learning (PBL) has become an integral part of the curriculum in all elementary and high schools in Albania. This might be due to the fact that this is an alternative way of teaching which tries to engage all the students in the learning process despite their level of knowledge in a specific subject. PBL is a method of teaching and learning which puts the students at the center of the learning process and as a result of students having to produce a final result, it considered to be very motivating and satisfactory for them. Scholars think that PBL integrates knowing and doing and is therefore a style of active learning. Generally, it involves real life topics which students have to discuss in groups, research and even generate solutions. This increases the possibility of long-term retention of skills and concepts. In this case study we will see how a mini version of PBL operates. The project “Teens’ magazine†was conducted with students of the 7th grade in “Naim Frashëri†school, in Elbasan, Albania. I will give details on how the project took place, the process of creating the groups, assigning the tasks and how it was assessed. Another important part of this case study is describing what worked and what didn’t work during the project. Because this project was conducted for three years with 7th graders, this case study will also give information on how parts of the process have changed and improved.