Problem-Based Strategies for Teaching Military English

Educators generally concur to the idea that one of the most essential goals of schooling is to empower students to become efficient problem solvers for the knowledge-based society. Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional methodology mainly focused on developing students’ abilities to deal with solving realistic issues by employing team-oriented strategies. The present paper discusses the opportunities of integrating PBL in the teaching of English for specific purposes, starting from the firm belief that by putting students in the role of effective collaborators, critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and capable communicators, the proposed strategies efficiently prepare cadets for real-life environments, for the challenges of their professional careers, and for an active citizenship. Drawing on a solid theoretical conceptualization of problem-based instruction, the article outlines the advantages of PBL for both teachers and students and proposes a series of practical strategies that are intended to facilitate our cadets’ development in four key skills – critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration, –with the help of project-based learning.