Project-based learning in foreign language teaching and assessment: the story of a journey

Project-based learning (PBL) has been widely used in education, including foreign language teaching. Our study examines its impact on foreign students studying veterinary medicine at a Romanian life sciences university. These students, mainly from France, take five semesters of compulsory Romanian, including cultural elements. To enhance integration, we designed a PBL assessment focused on preparing for a journey in Romania. Using mixed methods, we found significant improvements in language proficiency, teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. Results suggest that PBL enhances both linguistic and cognitive skills, fostering holistic development in foreign language learners.