The study aims to investigate whether collaborative strategic reading (CSR) strategies can improve higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) of students. It is an experimental design using pre-test and post-test as an instrument. Research data was obtained by giving a reading test in one of the public vocational high schools in Surabaya, Indonesia. These test data were analyzed using independent sample T-test and paired sample T-test in SPSS. Results showed that Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) could improve higher-order thinking skills for students. Based on data analysis results, t count was found to be larger than t table. Moreover, the result of the paired-sample t-test also indicated a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores of experimental students. Sig. Sig. (2-tailed) equals.000. To sum up, the strategy benefits students in enhancing higher-order thinking skills for students.

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This study focused on the students' perceptions toward the implementation of Project Based Learning in learning English as a Foreign Language that was conducted in one public of vocational high school in Surabaya Indonesia. The research was mixed method that used quantitative and qualitative data. The instruments were questionnaire, observation sheet and interview to examine the students' and teacher's perception. The participants included one teacher and 45 students aged between 15 and 16 years old. This research was conducted for 3 months in which the teacher implemented 3 projects in one classroom. The result showed that the teacher had a positive experience implementing Project Based Learning in teaching English as foreign language. Moreover, the teacher also found that Project Based Learning was an effective way to teach English since the teacher can motivate the students to learn English. Furthermore, the students also supported that they were happy and enjoy when they learned English. They felt that Project Based Learning was an effective way to learn English. In sum up, Project Based Learning was the solution to make the process of learning English more effective and meaningful for vocational high school students.

Nowadays, Indonesia has been a part of the ASEAN Economic Community so that it requires human resources that are able to compete in the working world. Accordingly, it is expected that vocational high school students must have literacy skills in order to increase students' competitiveness. However, the facts show that the students' literacy skills are still low since the learning process is still theoretical and textbook oriented. Consequently, the learning process becomes less effective and efficient. This research focuses on using Project Based Learning to improve the students' literacy skills. It is a learning method which can make the teaching and learning process become more meaningful for students. The research subjects are students from two vocational schools in rural and urban areas. The data collection methods include focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and observation. Quantitative analysis using percentage is used to analyze the gained data. The results of data analysis show the improvement of students' literacy skills to help them to be successful in the 21st century global community and economy. Qualitative results show the perceptions of the most improved literacy skills.

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