The workplace and workforce preparation provide an authentic and engaging context for adult ESOL and ABE instruction. Problem-based learning (PBL) encourages learners to develop language, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while addressing meaningful issues they may encounter in their communities, education, and the workplace. This learner-centered approach supports workforce preparation by helping learners build the communication and decision-making skills needed for workforce readiness and long-term economic mobility. Explore practical strategies for implementing PBL with learners at any language proficiency level and leave with adaptable activities and resources you can use immediately in your classroom.
- Adult ESOL instructors at all proficiency levels
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) instructors – ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science
- Adult education instructional leaders and program administrators
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
This interactive session introduces the principles and practices of problem-based learning (PBL) in adult education. Participants will experience the PBL process by collaborating with colleagues to investigate an authentic problem, analyze information, and develop potential solutions.
Throughout the session, participants will identify instructional strategies, and language supports that help learners successfully:
- Understand and explain an authentic problem
- Ask questions and gather information
- Analyze evidence and evaluate possible solutions
- Discuss consequences and make informed decisions
- Present and justify recommendations
The facilitator will model problem scenarios appropriate for learners at a variety of English language proficiency levels, demonstrate scaffolds that support language development, critical thinking, and collaboration, and share AI prompts instructors can use to develop scenarios for their classrooms. Participants will explore instructional strategies that make complex problem solving accessible for multilingual learners while strengthening essential skills that support workforce readiness, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.
Resources include lesson ideas and materials from the Teaching the Skills That Matter (TSTM) Toolkit, along with ready-to-use classroom strategies that participants can adapt for their own instructional settings. Participants will leave with practical approaches for integrating authentic, problem-based tasks into instruction in ways that help learners build confidence, apply language in meaningful contexts, and advance toward their educational, workforce preparation, and economic mobility goals.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Before the course opens, registrants will receive a separate email with instructions on how to access your course in Canvas. If you do not receive these instructions, please check your Spam folder and/or send an email to nruskin@edc.org.
- Explain the purpose and benefits of problem-based learning (PBL) to learners, including how it supports language development, critical thinking, workforce preparation, and lifelong learning
- Guide learners through the steps of the problem-solving process to investigate authentic scenarios, analyze information, and develop and communicate solutions
- Locate, adapt, or create meaningful problem scenarios that are relevant to learners' educational, workplace, and community contexts
- Implement at least one instructional scaffold and one teaching strategy that support learners at varying English language proficiency levels in successfully engaging with the PBL process and building workforce readiness skills
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
Attendees should have a basic knowledge of Zoom features and breakout rooms.
United States
