Writing Ability and Projects

  Summary of Alemneh & Gebrie (2024)

Background & Existing Knowledge
Writing is essential in language education, yet often difficult for learners to master. Traditional methods may not sufficiently develop sub-skills such as organization, content generation, or language use. Project-Based Learning (PBL) offers a promising approach grounded in constructivist theory.

New Insights from This Study
✔ PBL significantly improves writing and sub-writing skills (content, organization, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics).
✔ Experimental group students showed better outcomes than control group peers.
✔ Students developed motivation and real-world writing competence.

Practical Applications: How Educators Can Use This Research

Classroom Strategy
📌 Integrate PBL into writing curricula to enhance practice and reflection.
📌 Use real-world writing tasks and collaborative projects.
📌 Apply PBL to address specific sub-skills (e.g., grammar through editing tasks).

Student Engagement
📌 Allow students to choose topics relevant to their experiences.
📌 Encourage peer feedback and iterative writing.
📌 Scaffold the writing process using planning, drafting, and revising phases.

Assessment & Growth
📌 Use rubrics targeting both overall and sub-writing skills.
📌 Compare individual progress across drafts.
📌 Promote metacognitive reflection on writing growth.

Conclusion
Project-Based Learning offers an effective and motivating way to teach writing in secondary education, significantly boosting students' sub-writing abilities through active and meaningful engagement.

Key Words
writing instruction, project-based learning, secondary students, sub-writing skills, Amharic education

Reference
Alemneh, S., & Gebrie, G. (2024). The Role of Project-Based Learning in Improving the Writing Ability and Sub-Writing Abilities of 10th Grade Amharic Speaking Students. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 9, 100843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100843

Suggested Citation
Ross, E. M., & Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Writing Ability and Projects. Excellent Educator, 2(9), 1.