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PBLL Short Courses: Explore intersections between PBLL and other topic areas
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1. Intro to Project-Based Language Learning (PBLL)

What is Project-Based Language Learning (PBLL)?

The NFLRC defines PBLL as a transformative learning experience designed to engage language learners with real-world issues and meaningful target language use through the construction of products that have an authentic purpose and that are shared with an audience that extends beyond the instructional setting.

PBLL can be conceived as a series of language learning tasks that are articulated toward a common goal: the construction of a public product representing a response to a challenging problem or question.

NFLRC work on project design is informed by PBLWorks guidelines and materials, such as Gold Standard PBL: Essential Project Design Elements and High-­Quality Project­-Based Learning (HQPBL). These two complementary sets of guidelines, which took shape in the early and late 2010s, respectively, provide slightly different vantage points on well-designed PBL. The NFLRC made a conscious decision to base its work on PBLWorks guidelines and materials because they are widely used across schools in the U.S. and provide a common referent for project design for teachers in all content areas. The use of a common pedagogical model also helps to create opportunities for language instructors to collaborate with instructors in other disciplines. The integration of world language pedagogy, standards, and research into project design and teaching practices is central to all NFLRC work on PBLL.

New to PBLL?

Here are some videos that explain what project-based learning (PBL) is, offer additional considerations needed for project-based language learning (PBLL), and give examples of projects that have been developed in conjunction with the NFLRC:

From PBL to PBLL

Project Examples

2. Learn the Fundamentals of PBLL

Want to incorporate PBLL in your classroom?

You’re in luck! The NFLRC has developed the Envisioning PBLL MOOC (massive open online courses). In this free self-study course, participants can become familiar with the main concepts of high­-quality PBLL, and its outcome is an instructional design document called a Product Square. Conceptualized and adopted by NFLRC institute leaders in several PBLL and utilizing backward design, the Product Square prompts the project designer to consider how essential project elements are addressed and to identify what challenges may need to be overcome.

• Registration open: November 21, 2024 – April 30, 2025
• Course open: January 2, 2025 – May 31, 2025

Currently under development, a second MOOC, titled Designing PBLL, will take the next steps forward, applying the main concepts of high-­quality PBLL to the design of a specific project. Its outcome is an instructional design document called a Project Blueprint. The Project Blueprint outlines the main design aspects of a high­-quality project, including the challenging problem or question (“driving question”), relevant student learning outcomes (SLOs or “can-dos”) and associated assessments, and instructional tasks designed to activate second language acquisition processes.

3. NFLRC Project Repository: Explore Sample Projects

Need help thinking of project ideas?

The Project Repository is a collection of standards-based instructional blueprints for instructors with instructions to guide the implementation of a project. Sample projects in this collection contain descriptions of the core elements of the projects, including a) a project summary, b) expected outcomes, c) task descriptions, sequences, and timelines; d) necessary scaffolding for content and technology; e) detailed assessment information and rubrics; and f) materials needed for implementation (e.g., student handouts, audiovisual or print materials).

4. Project Blueprint: Design Your Plan for PBLL

Planning a project can be a real challenge — not least because PBLL involves connecting with real-world communities as partners, informants, and maybe even as an audience. The Project Blueprint is intended to scaffold design for a high­-quality project. Think of it as a series of questions to ponder and answer in your very own copy of our Google Docs template. The Project Blueprint template takes you through the design of a project piece by piece, asking you to consider your challenging problem or question (“driving question”); generate anticipated “need-to-knows”; identify and reach out to your community partners; select relevant authentic materials; define student learning outcomes (SLOs or “can-dos”) and design associated assessments; and design instructional tasks leading toward those outcomes, among many other aspects of design.

The Project Blueprint comes in several flavors. Here we offer you a “lite” version called the PBLL Project Design Overview as well as a version of the “full” document and a rubric that can be used to assess a completed Blueprint.

5. Summer Institutes: Deepen Your PBLL Experience

Our PBLL Summer Institutes are designed for world language educators who have some knowledge of Project-Based Language Learning (PBLL) as well as some practice in generating project ideas. During the Institute, participants flesh out their ideas for a project design they have already subjected to critique, assisted by colleagues and guided by language professionals with background in project-based learning, language pedagogy, instructional technology, and assessment.

As a prerequisite, applicants must typically complete the Envisioning Project-Based Language Learning MOOC and earn a completion badge in order to qualify for consideration for the Institute.

Since 2015, all our NFLRC Summer Institutes have focused on PBLL.

Our 2025 PBLL in Action Summer Institute will take place at Yale University. Application deadline: March 16, 2025.

6. Work & Learn with a PBLL Mentor

The purpose of the Mentoring Program for Project-Based Language Learning is to leverage the experience and expertise of the skilled cadre of veteran PBLL practitioners who have participated in extended professional learning as resources supporting the professional learning of the rising generation of new PBLL practitioners. The mentors will be world language teachers who have completed the NFLRC PBLL Summer Institute or professional development offered by the Buck Institute for Education and implemented PBLL in their classes. The mentees are world language teachers who are interested in learning about PBLL and how to implement PBLL in their classrooms. One mentor will be paired with one mentee through a semester to provide support and consultation about PBLL. Mentors will also share their personal experiences and knowledge in adopting PBLL. Mentors and mentees will use open educational resources (OERs) on PBLL developed by NFLRC as supporting materials. The mentoring will be conducted virtually via email, phone, or videoconferences. After completing the mentoring program and submitting an evaluation survey, the mentor will be awarded with a digital badge as a PBLL Mentor.

Note: This program closed on April 22, 2024. We are no longer accepting mentors or mentees.

7. Fine Tune Your Learning: Intersections with PBLL

More PBLL Resources

• Vietnamese PBLL Curriculum:  A sample PBLL curriculum for first and second year Vietnamese