Project-based learning (PjBL) is a student-centred approach focusing on experiential learning. The approach has been widely used in the field of sciences and mathematics but not in social sciences, particularly in English writing skills. As PjBL gains popularity as one of the 21st century teaching and learning approaches, there is a need to identify the trends, key authors, significant countries, and findings related to PjBL in writing. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) conducted on 17 articles from the year 2018 to 2023 from the Scopus database following the PRISMA guideline. The study focused on PjBL and English writing, employing a systematic literature review to analyse trends, countries, authors, and journals. The analysis reveals dynamic trends of PjBL in the writing field. While the publication output fluctuated over the years, Indonesia emerged as a major contributor, signifying a global interest. A diverse distribution of articles across journals and countries underscores the global impact of PjBL, with notable contributions from Malaysia, China, and Russia. This paper synthesises the key themes from the literature review, emphasising the improvement in writing skills through PjBL and its challenges. The findings underscore PjBL's potential in transforming English writing education, emphasising the importance of addressing challenges for effective integration. The study contributes to the literature through a systematic analysis, providing insights into the trends and recommendations in PjBL in English writing research. Further research should delve into refining PjBL methodologies to maximize its innovative potential in English writing instruction. Keywords: Project-based learning; English writing; writing skills; ESL students; systematic literature reviewReferencesAbdul Rahman, A. M., Azmi, M. N. L., & Hassan, I. (2020). Improvement of English writing skills through blended learning among university students in Malaysia. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(12A), 7694–7701. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.082556Ahmad, S. T., Watrianthos, R., Samala, A. D., Muskhir, M., & Dogara, G. (2023). Project-based learning in vocational Education: a bibliometric approach. International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science, 15(4), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2023.04.04Akhtar, R., Hassan, H., Saidalvi, A., & Hussain, S. (2019). A systematic review of the challenges and solutions of ESL students’ academic writing. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 8(5C), 1169–1171. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijeat.e1164.0585c19Al-Busaidi, S., & Al-Seyabi, F. (2021). Project-based learning as a tool for student-teachers’ professional development: a study in an Omani EFL teacher education program. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 20(4), 116–136.https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.20.4.7Al-Khazraji, A. (2019). Analysis of discourse markers in essays writing in ESL classroom. International Journal of Instruction, 12(2), 559–572. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12235aAlsolami, B., & Emb, M. R. (2018). Crowding perception: A case study of developed systematic literature review procedure with multiple software programs as management and synthesis tools. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(2.10), 121. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i2.10.10969Alwasilah, D. S. (2019). Creating your animated stories with Plotagon: implementation of project-based learning in narrative writing. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 18(12), 333–349. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.18.12.19Borisova, E. N., & Letkina, N. V. (2019). English for Professional Communication: A project-based approach to teaching university students (a case study of music students). Integration of Education, 23(4), 607–627. https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.097.023.201904.607-627Bulqiyah, S., Mahbub, M. A., & Nugraheni, D. A. (2021). Investigating writing difficulties in essay writing: Tertiary students’ perspectives. English Language Teaching Educational Journal, 4(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.12928/eltej.v4i1.2371Ceylan, N. O. (2019). Student perceptions of difficulties in second language writing. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 151–157. https://doi.org/10.17263/jlls.547683Chen, C., & Yang, Y. (2019). Revisiting the effects of project-based learning on students’ academic achievement: A meta-analysis investigating moderators. Educational Research Review, 26, 71–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2018.11.001Chen, R. H. (2021). Fostering students’ workplace communicative competence and collaborative mindset through an inquiry-based learning design. Education Sciences, 11(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11010017Deveci, T. (2018). Student perceptions on collaborative writing in a project-based course. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 6(4), 721–732. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2018.060415Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070Duke, N. C., Halvorsen, A., Strachan, S. L., Kim, J., & Konstantopoulos, S. (2021). Putting PjBL to the test: The impact of project-based learning on second graders’ social studies and literacy learning and motivation in low-ses school settings. American Educational Research Journal, 58(1), 160–200. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831220929638Ghulamuddin, N. J. A., Mohari, S., & Ariffin, K. (2021). Discovering writing difficulties of Malay ESL primary school level students. International Journal of Linguistics and Translation Studies. https://doi.org/10.36892/ijlts.v2i1.105Hassan, I., Abdul Rahman, A. M., & Latiff Azmi, M. N. (2021). Development of English writing skills through blended learning among ESL learners in Malaysia. Arab World English Journal, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/call7.26Huang, J., Li, J., Shu, T., & Zhang, Y. (2022). A mixed-methods national study investigating key challenges in learning English as a foreign language: A Chinese college student perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1035819Irmade, O., Sumantri, M. S., & Solihatin, E. (2023). Project-based learning research trends in Indonesia: Bibliometric analysis. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0105771Ismayanti, E., & Kholiq, A. (2020). An analysis of students’ difficulties in writing descriptive text. E-Link Journal, 7(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.30736/ej.v7i1.260Jabali, O. (2018). Students’ attitudes towards EFL university writing: A case study at An-Najah National University, Palestine. Heliyon, 4(11), e00896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00896Kepe, M., & Weagle, C. S. (2020). It starts with a story! Towards extensive reading. In EDULEARN proceedings. International Academy of Technology, Education and Development. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2020.2153Khalaf, M. A., & Alshammari, A. (2023). Effects of project-based learning on postgraduate students’ research proposal writing skills. European Journal of Educational Research, 12(1), 189–200. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.12.1.189Khalili, S. M., & Ravand, G. R. (2017). The effects of project-oriented tasks on Iranian intermediate EFL learners’ learning motivation. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 4(2), 16–114.Krepop, J. M. M. (2020). Social media technology usage in project-based learning: A Case Study. Faculty of Concordia University.Larmer, J., Mergendoller, J. R., & Boss, S. (2015). Setting the standard for project-based learning: A proven approach to rigorous classroom instruction.Lu, Q. (2021). A new project-based learning concept in English writing. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (Ijet), 16(05), 214. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i05.21271Md Khudzari, J, Kurian, J. K., Tartakovsky, B., & Raghavan, G. (2018). Bibliometric analysis of global research trends on microbial fuel cells using Scopus database. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 136, 51–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2018.05.002Mantra, I. B. N., Handayani, N. D., Pramawati, A. A. I. Y., & Widiastuti, I. a. M. S. (2023). Brainstorming combined with project-based learning as an effective learning strategy in writing classrooms. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 14(6), 1590–1596. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1406.17Mascolo, M. F. (2009). Beyond student-centered and teacher-centered pedagogy: Teaching and learning as guided participation. Pedagogy and the Human Sciences, 1(1), 3–27. https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=phsMoher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. The BMJ, 339, b2535. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535Nargis, & Amelia, L. (2018). Title optimizing efl learners’ communicative competence through short movie project. Asian EFL Journal.Nurhajati, D. (2016). Project-based learning used to develop supplementary materials for writing skill. Asian EFL Journal. http://repository.unpkediri.ac.id/108/Okoli, C. (2015). A guide to conducting a standalone systematic literature review. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 37. https://doi.org/10.17705/1cais.03743Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E., Mayo‐Wilson, E., McDonald, S., . . . Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. The BMJ, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71Praba, L. T., Artini, L. P., & Ramendra, D. P. (2018). Project-based learning and writing skill in EFL: are they related? SHS Web of Conferences. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20184200059Quvanch, Z., & Kew, S. N. (2020). A review on impact of blended learning on the English writing Skills. ResearchGate.Reis, A. C. B., Barbalho, S. C. M., & Zanette, A. C. D. (2017). A bibliometric and classification study of project-based learning in engineering education. Production Journal, 27. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.225816Rojas, M. A., Villafuerte, J., & Soto, S. T. (2018). Collaborative work and technological means for improving learners’ English language writing 93 production. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology.Sabarun. (2019). Needs analysis on developing EFL paragraph writing materials at Kalimantan L2 learners. English Language Teaching, 12(1), 186. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v12n1p186Siddiqui, K. A. (2020). Analyzing factors influencing the paragraph organization in English language writing of intermediate students. The International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 32(1), 99–106. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1259517.pdfSudadi, S., Ranmadi, R., Ramli, A., Kasuma, J., Vargas, L. R. N., & Cabanillaa, L. E. A. (2021). Improving essay writing through project- based learning. Review of International Geographical Education, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.48047/rigeo.11.05.296Sukerti, G. N. A., & Yuliantini, N. (2018). Learning autonomy in writing class: Implementation of project-based learning in English for specific purposes. Journal of Physics, 953, 012101. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/953/1/012101Toba, R., Noor, W. N., & Sanu, L. O. (2019). The current issues of Indonesian EFL students’ writing skills: ability, problem, and reason in writing comparison and contrast essay. Dinamika Ilmu, 57–73. https://doi.org/10.21093/di.v19i1.1506Wan Yusof, Z. M., Kimi, M., Zullkiplee, W. S. H. W., Zailani, M. A., Shahabudin, M. F. R., Ismail, A. G., Abdullah, S. M. S., Ismail, I., & Gopal, D. J. R. (2021). Assessment of practical and scientific writing skills for pre-university students through project-based learning. Journal of Chemical Education, 99(2), 715–722. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00843Yunus, M. M., Haleman, K. N., Junaidi, Y., & Suliman, A. (2020). Using ‘The Write Stuff’ module to enhance the writing skills of ESL primary school students. International Journal of English Language and Literature Studies. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.23.2020.94.315.329Zarate-Perez, E., Cornejo-Carbajal, C., Grados, J., Gutierrez-Tirado, R., Astocondor-Villar, J., Tejada-Cabanillas, A., & Grados-Espinoza, A. (2022). Learning in project-based engineering education: A bibliometric Analysis. Proceedings of the 20th LACCEI International Multi-Conference for Engineering, Education and Technology: “Education, Research and Leadership in Post-pandemic Engineering: Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Actions.” https://doi.org/10.18687/laccei2022.1.1.743Zhang, D., & Wang, W. (2023). The current status and development of pre-service language teachers’ TLLT competence in a PjBL classroom. Cogent Education, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x
