HomeAbstract of 8th-worldcteUnlocking Critical Thinking: Maximising the Role of Project-Based Learning in Translating Malay Idioms

Unlocking Critical Thinking: Maximising the Role of Project-Based Learning in Translating Malay Idioms

  • Jun 1, 2025
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  • Category: Abstract of 8th-worldcte
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Abstract Book of the 8th World Conference on Teaching and Education

Year: 2025

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Unlocking Critical Thinking: Maximising the Role of Project-Based Learning in Translating Malay Idioms

Nor Ruba’yah binti Abd Rahim, Juhari Sham bin Jusoh

 

ABSTRACT:

Developing critical thinking involves one’s ability to practice the skills of analysing, evaluating, and creating to find alternative solutions to problems and make informed, thoughtful decisions. This study investigates the practice of these skills in a language class using Project-Based Learning (PBL) as an instructional approach. The study involved 50 semester 5 students from the Translation 1 course and used a two-part approach: project-based assessment and class observation, designed to understand how utilising PBL techniques enriches students’ ability to apply Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) to complete the semester’s final project, which included translating and explaining a selection of common Malay idioms in a travel brochure. The findings indicated that students performed better in an encouraging environment, which enabled them to demonstrate a significant improvement in their ability to practice critical thinking skills in critically analysing the idioms’ figurative meanings and creatively adapt them for a broader audience, which demonstrated their overall translation competency. The study also found that using Project-Based Learning (PBL) requires careful planning, good time management, and active engagement to achieve the desired results. As a result, students showed improvements in problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. This research offers practical suggestions on how to develop critical thinking through hands-on PBL experiences, helping students gain a deeper understanding and apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world, collaborative setting. The findings are valuable for educators looking to enhance their teaching with PBL, for curriculum developers aiming to create more engaging learning experiences, and for students who will benefit from seeing how PBL nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.

Keywords: collaboration, educational innovation, higher-order thinking skills, problem-solving, translation