The development of a flipped classroom module using project-based learning for a workplace General English course in Chinese higher vocational colleges

The study aims to design a flipped classroom module of project-based learning (FCPBL) for Workplace General English course in Chinese higher vocational colleges. The study employed the design and development research approach involving need analysis, design and development, and implementation and evaluation phases. In the first phase, a survey of 404 students from five colleges was conducted to investigate their English application skills and readiness for FCPBL module. Additionally, semistructured interviews with 12 English teachers were conducted to investigate their current teaching practices. The findings indicated that students had a moderate level of English proficiency (mean = 2.93) but exhibited a high level of readiness (mean = 3.54). The current English teaching is teacher-centered and lacks workplace-relevant content. These findings highlighted the critical need for FCPBL module to improve students_ English proficiency. In the design phase, FCPBL module was developed using Fuzzy Delphi Method. Firstly, the module components were identified through semi-structured interviews with six experts to design Fuzzy Delphi Instrument, which was then distributed to 20 experts to gain consensus on the components. The FCPBL module was then reviewed by five experts, leading to further improvements. In the evaluation phase, a two-group quasi-experiment with pre-test and post-test assessments was conducted to evaluate FCPBL module_ s effectiveness. A survey was then adopted to assess students_ perspectives on the module. The t-test analysis indicated a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the experimental class (p < .05), as well as between the post-test scores of the two classes (p < .05). The quantitative data showed that students had positive perspectives on FCPBL module. These findings reveal that FCPBL module is effective in enhancing students_ English application skills and recommends its broader implementation across Chinese higher vocational colleges to foster more practical and effective English learning environments.