The Impact of Project-Based Learning on Vocabulary Retention among Grade 5 Learners: A Study at Ngo Thoi Nhiem Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60087/ijls.vol3.n2.011Keywords:
Project-Based Learning, vocabulary retention, young learners, EFL learners, primary schoolAbstract
Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an approach for developing language proficiency for the 21st century. This research aimed to investigate the impact of PBL on enhancing vocabulary retention in an actual classroom context at a private primary school in Ho Chi Minh City. With the rising number of challenges between students and teachers, PBL can be a great step to address these issues. Despite the widespread recognition of PBL’s theoretical potential and its development in education, a necessary journey remained between possibility and practical reality, especially within specific cultural and educational contexts. The findings from this research would have significant future directions for educators who seek strategies to support their academic success. In this regard, the report aims to analyse and synthesise Project-Based Learning approaches to design lesson plans and implement them in real-world classes. While previous studies strongly supported the value of Project-Based Learning, the majority of available studies focused on secondary or tertiary educational levels to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world professional practice; this research was conducted to examine exactly how PBL influenced the long-term maintenance of learned vocabulary among young learners as well as determine the true value of the teaching approach. The Descriptive Quantitative Modified Quasi-Experimental Research Design was utilized not only to observe and compare learning outcomes numerically but also to describe the implementation process, classroom dynamics, and learner experiences. This study, therefore, embarked on the specific journey from moving beyond general assumptions to investigate, measure, and describe exactly what happened when PBL was applied to vocabulary instruction within the primary environment.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nguyen Thi Thuy An, Nguyen Thi Chau Anh (Author)
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