Enhancing student's 21st Century Skills through Project-Based Learning: A Case of Vietnamese ELF Learners

This action research was conducted with a view to investigating the correlation between the Simulation project, a project-based learning, and students’ development in 21st century skills. This assignment took the form of mock job-interviews and ran throughout the semester. Students, by undertaking this project, had the chance to act as both recruiters and applicants, which entailed a range of duties such as designing recruitment posters and the company website; framing interview questions and establishing evaluation criteria; as well as writing CVs and taking part in interviewing sessions. Their aims were to either recruit the most suitable candidates for their posts, if they were the recruiters, or to sell themselves successfully, if they were job-seekers. Participants of this study consisted of 60 sophomores, all at whom were at advanced level (C1 CEFR) at the time this research was carried out. Data collected from questionnaire and students’ post-project reflections revealed that students had acquired a range of 21st century skills including critical thinking, team-working, graphic design, and time management. Several pedagogical implications were also include at the end of this study so that other language teachers can apply this form of project-based learning in their classrooms.