Abstract
This paper is an introduction to the use of Problem Based Learning (PBL) in language lessons at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague. Beginning with a brief description of the origins of PBL from its inception in the 1960's, we then look at the development of using PBL in medical and other universities as a pedagogical tool.
The paper goes on to look at the main concepts of PBL and discusses their benefits, drawbacks and difficulties. The current worldwide use of PBL in various language teaching settings is summarised.
Finishing with a description of the innovative use of PBL while teaching medical English with an overview of its successes and the difficulties of using it to promote natural conversation in a medical language lesson setting.