Improving Students’ Critical Thinking through Problem-Based Learning in English Class at Grade XI SMK Swasta GKPI 1 Pematangsiantar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65310/0h43ka93Keywords:
Problem-Based Learning, Critical Thinking, English Education, Vocational High School, Qualitative Study.Abstract
This study investigates the enhancement of students’ critical thinking performance through the implementation of Problem-Based Learning in an English class at Grade XI of SMK Swasta GKPI 1 Pematangsiantar. Employing a qualitative descriptive field research design, the study aims to examine how PBL facilitates the development of higher-order thinking skills within a vocational English learning context. Data were collected through classroom observations, interviews, document analysis, and critical thinking assessments conducted before and after the implementation of PBL. The findings indicate a significant improvement in students’ critical thinking performance across multiple indicators, including problem identification, logical reasoning, evaluation of ideas, decision-making, and reflective thinking. The results further reveal that PBL enhances students’ cognitive engagement by integrating authentic problem scenarios, collaborative inquiry, and reflective practices into English instruction. The vocational orientation of learning tasks strengthens relevance and supports deeper cognitive processing. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of PBL in vocational English education and highlights its potential to create student-centered, cognitively rich learning environments that support both language development and critical thinking growth
Downloads
References
Adnyani, N. P. S., & Suniasih, N. W. (2023). Problem Based Learning Models on Critical Thinking Ability in Science Lessons of Grade V Elementary School. Thinking Skills and Creativity Journal, 6(2), 145-151. https://doi.org/10.23887/tscj.v6i2.61354
Anggraeni, D. M., Prahani, B. K., Suprapto, N., Shofiyah, N., & Jatmiko, B. (2023). Systematic review of problem based learning research in fostering critical thinking skills. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 49, 101334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101334
Ardiansyah, A. I., Putra, A. K., & Nikitina, N. (2024). Investigating problem-based learning model's impact on student's critical thinking skills in environmental conservation context. Jambura Geo Education Journal, 5(2), 87-103. https://doi.org/10.37905/jgej.v5i2.26110
Aulia, H. R., Laeli, A. F., & Ulwiyah, S. (2023). Problem-based learning as a method to improve senior high school student’s reading comprehension in English. ELTR Journal, 7(2), 77-85. https://doi.org/10.37147/eltr.v7i2.171
Bendraou, R., & Sakale, S. (2023). The Impact of Problem-based Learning and Reading Stories on the Development of Moroccan Middle School Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. BENDRAOU, R., & SAKALE, S.(2023). The Impact of Problem-based Learning and Reading Stories on the Development of Moroccan Middle School Students’ Critical Thinking Skills. Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 5(2), 74-80. https://doi.org/10.32996/jeltal.2023.5.2.9
Chen, T., Zhao, Y. J., Huang, F. Q., Liu, Q., Li, Y., Alolga, R. N., ... & Ma, G. (2024). The effect of problem-based learning on improving problem-solving, self-directed learning, and critical thinking ability for the pharmacy students: A randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis. PloS one, 19(12), e0314017. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314017
Daeli, S. (2022). IMPLEMENTING PROBLEM BASED LEARNING TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’SPEAKING ABILITY AT THE TENTH GRADE OF SMK NEGERI 1 FANAYAMA. FAGURU: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Keguruan, 1(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.57094/faguru.v1i2.502
Dharma, I. M. A., & Lestari, N. A. P. (2022). The Impact of Problem-based Learning Models on Social Studies Learning Outcomes and Critical Thinking Skills for Fifth Grade Elementary School Students. Jurnal Ilmiah Sekolah Dasar, 6(2), 263-269. https://doi.org/10.23887/jisd.v6i2.46140
Dianita, B., & Tiarani, V. A. (2023). Problem based learning model with experiential learning to increase creative thinking and critical thinking ability. Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pendidikan, 7(2), 328-335. https://doi.org/10.23887/jppp.v7i2.62254
Ernanda, M., Suharsono, S., & Triyanto, S. A. (2022). The Effect of Implementing Problem-Based Learning in Lesson Study on Students' Critical Thinking Skills. Bioedukasi: Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi, 15(2), 112-125. https://doi.org/10.20961/bioedukasi-uns.v15i2.61383
Fitriyah, A., Ayatin, R., Sugiarti, R., Rozak, A., & Pujiatna, T. (2024). Instructional design of problem-based learning models: A strategy for improving students' critical thinking abilities in learning news texts. JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(4), 2088-2099. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i4.11675
Haryanti, Y. D., Sapriya, S., Permana, J., Syaodih, E. W., & Kurino, Y. D. (2022). Improving the Critical Thinking Skills of Elementary School Students through Problem Based Learning and Inquiry Models in Social Science Learning. Al Ibtida: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru MI, 9(2), 292-304. http://dx.doi.org/10.24235/al.ibtida.snj.v9i2.10485
Jumhur, A. A., Avianti, R. A., Nurfitri, P. E., & Mahir, I. (2024). Implementation of problem-based learning to improve critical thinking ability of vocational students in Jakarta. European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 5(5), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejedu.2024.5.5.860
Maulina, D., Priadi, M. A., Gustina, M., & Rakhmawati, I. (2025). Improving student’s critical thinking skills and sustainability awareness using problem based learning model. Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Indonesia, 13(1), 178-188. https://doi.org/10.24815/jpsi.v13i1.42135
Montafej, J., Lotfi, A. R., & Chalak, A. (2022). The Effectiveness of Hybrid and Pure Problem‐Based Learning in the Productive Skills and Critical Thinking of Iranian Undergraduate Students through MALL Application. Education Research International, 2022(1), 1531210. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1531210
Muda, M. A. M., Siburian, J., & Musli, M. (2025). Improving Students' Critical Thinking Skills Using Multimedia in a Problem-Based Learning Model (PBL): a Narrative Review. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan (JIP) STKIP Kusuma Negara, 16(2), 246-266. https://doi.org/10.37640/jip.v16i2.2179
Neswary, S. B. A., & Prahani, B. K. (2022). Profile of students' physics critical thinking skills and application of problem based learning models assisted by digital books in physics learning in high school. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 8(2), 781-789. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v8i2.1444
Nurdin, N. N., & Uleng, B. P. (2023). The implementation of problem based learning activity through online school field practice. Jurnal Ilmiah Global Education, 4(1), 111-117. https://doi.org/10.55681/jige.v4i1.533
Oktaviani, H., & Suharsih, S. (2024). The Use of Problem Based Learning to Improve Students’ Critical Thinking in Indonesian Junior High School. Journal of Linguistics, Literacy, and Pedagogy, 3(2), 57-63. https://dx.doi.org/10.30870/jllp.v3i2.23352
Shafamarwa, S., Thahir, A., Puspita, A., Pirka, F. I., Wiliyanti, V., & Dhanny, D. R. (2024). The Implementation of Problem-Based Learning to Improve Students’ Writing Achievement in Argumentative Essay: Global Warming. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 482, p. 04023). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202448204023
Suhendri, S., & Kurniawan, F. (2022). Improving students’ motivation and reading ability in learning narrative text using problem-based learning. Jurnal Penelitian Tindakan Pendidikan. https://doi.org/10.23917/jptp.v1i1.978
Sulhan, A. S., Wilujeng, I., & Prasetyo, Z. K. (2023). Improving critical thinking skills students through problem based learning e-module. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(11), 9481-9486. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i11.5231
Triyanto, S. A., Wahidin, W., Hartania, N., Solihat, A., & Sutrisno, S. (2022). Blended-problem based learning with integrated social media-based learning media in improving students' critical thinking skills. Biosfer: Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi, 15(2), 242-254. https://doi.org/10.21009/biosferjpb.25792
Yu, L., & Zin, Z. M. (2023, May). The critical thinking-oriented adaptations of problem-based learning models: a systematic review. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 8, p. 1139987). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1139987
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Heltri Firdayati S, Selviana Napitupulu (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
