First developed in the early 1990s SSBL, Situation & Scenario Based learning, are now considered among one of the major pedagogical principles for learning environments.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. – Benjamin Franklin

What is SSBL and how can it be applied?

SSBL motivates and interests participants by using situations and scenarios relevant to their own professional lives.

Situation-based Learning

Situation-based learning claims that students are more inclined to learn more by actively participating in the learning experience. When applied to language learning participants acquire their target language far more effectively when immersed in a particular situation. The aim is to let participants improve their skills through its practical use in certain real situations from their actual lives. Effectively, the participant’s life is used as the study material. This method is highly motivating for participants as it helps them to perform their tasks with greater success and confidence.

Scenario-based learning

Scenario-based learning often uses PBL (Problem Based Learning) and critical thinking activities for participants to discuss and work on the different possible scenarios within a situation. By discussing and practicing these possible scenarios, in a safe environment, participants will greatly improve the possible outcomes when they encounter these scenarios in real life. This method is especially beneficial for teams as it also helps to increase team cohesion and motivation.

To ensure SSBL is effective and participants retain learned material and concepts repetition and meaningful practice is necessary.

Without a doubt SSBL provides a much richer eclectic and meaningful learning environment in which participants quickly learn to manage different situations in their actual lives. In today’s multicultural community intercultural interactions are fairly usual however, knowing how to interact with different cultures is not so easy. SSBL plays an important role by helping participants to deal with these situations.