TWENTY FIRST CENTURY SKILLS THROUGH PROBLEM BASED LEARNING: AN ESP PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Aimed at exploring such category embodied in pedagogical content knowledge (Grossman, 1990) as knowledge of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instructional strategies useful for teaching content, this paper uses English for Business course offered at Sultan Qaboos University in the Sultanate of Oman as its context. While placing given attention to the analysis of how application of content and the process of problem-based learning can help Omani ESP students develop 21st century skills, it provides a detailed information about the integration of problem solving skills development throughout the course curriculum and teaching materials, as well as the processes of students’ learning about how to think and solve problems through facilitated problem solving and self-directed learning. Recommendations for the effective integration of problem-based learning in ESP programs are provided.