Assessment of EFL Learners' Attitude Towards Cooperative Language Learning
Limu Preparatory School, East Wollega Zone in Focus
Keywords:
Cooperative language learning, Cooperative learning, Attitude, Language learning, EFL teachers, Students' willingnessAbstract
The purpose of this study was to assess EFL learners' attitude towards cooperative language learning. To this end, Limu preparatory school which is found in East Wollega Zone, Oromia region is selected. The respondents of the study were two English language teachers and seventy students from grade eleven. Descriptive survey research design was used to describe the current situation of the subjects of the study and simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a number of study units from a defined population. The instruments used to collect data were interviews and questionnaire. The findings of the study showed that the majority of the students with mean value of 4.0 had favorable attitude towards cooperative language learning. CLL improves supportive and expanding opportunities for learners to use the language and creates a more positive climate in the classroom in that students maximize their own and each other’s' learning. The findings also showed that there are factors negatively affecting students’ participation in CLL such as lack of prior knowledge (proficiency) of English language, students think that it is time consuming, EFL teachers’ inability to implement the cooperative structure (positive interdependence and individual accountability) and organizing cooperative learning groups on heterogeneous bases and other related problems.Finally, recommendations were forwarded based on the major findings of the study so as to facilitate the students' participation and use of cooperative learning during EFL classroom. Accordingly, it was recommended that EFL teachers have to familiarize their students with cooperative language learning principles, monitoring and intervening students' group work where necessary. Teachers should also emphasize cooperative learning in which positive interdependence is a key factor consistently results in more learner achievement over a longer period of time. Teachers also should form the group on heterogeneous bases and commit to involve students in cooperative learning method through pair/group work. Teachers must also understand their responsibilities carefully before implementing cooperative learning and enhance students' willingness to participate in cooperative groups by devising the strategies for interactive language use.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Abebaw Andargie (2011). EFL Learners’ Attitude towards Group Work : The Case of High and Low Achievers. Addis Ababa University: Addis Ababa. http://etd.aau.edu.et/dspace/handle/123456789/4841
Apple, M.T. (2006). Language Learning Theories and Cooperative Learning Techniques in the EFL Classroom. Doshisha Students in Language and Culture. Doshisha Studies in Language and Culture 9(2): 277-301.
Brown, H.D. (1991). Teaching by Principles an Interactive Approach to Language Proficiency. Upper Saddle Rivers, NJ USA; Prentice Hall Regents.
Byrne, D. (1987). Techniques for Classroom Interaction.
London: Longman.
Carpini, M.D. (2009). Enhancing Cooperative Learning in TESOL Teachers Education. ELT Journal 63(1): 42-50.
Charness, M.A. kipper man, J. Rabow .J, and Radcliffe- vasile, (1994). Learning Through Discussion (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Chips, B. (1993). Using Cooperative Learning at Secondary Level. In: D.D .Hoit (Ed.) Cooperative Learning. Washington, DC: Center of Applied Linguistics and ERIC Clearing House on Language and Linguistics.
Crandall, J. (1999). Cooperative Language Learning and Affective Factors. In: Arnold (Ed.), Affective in Language Learning (pp. 226-245). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Christison, M.A. (1994). Cooperative learning in the EFL classroom. In T. Kral (Ed.), Teacher development: Making the right moves. Selected articles from the English Teaching Forum 1989-1993 (pp. 139-147). Washington D.C.: English Language Programs Division.
Cohen, E.G. (1994). Designing Group Work Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom. New York; Teachers College Press.
Cohen, E.G, Brody. C.M and Shevin, M.S. (2004).Teaching Cooperative Learning, The Challenge for Teachers Education New York; State University of New York press.
Coppola,C. (2007). Cooperative Learning Groups in ESL Social Studies. Retrieved, November10, (2013), from http:// www.ohioteachered. Coppola.doc.
Deutsch, M. (1949). A Theory of Cooperation and Competition. Human Relation 2:129-152.
Deutsch, M. (1962). Cooperation and Trust: Some Theoretical Notes. in M. Jones (Ed.) Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. Retrieved March 6, 2014, from http://www.Co.operation.Org/home/introduct---
Dornyei, Z. (1997). Psychological Processes in Cooperative Language Learning: Group Dynamics and Motivation. Modern Language Journal 81: 482-493.
Dornyei, Z. (2007). Research Methods in Applied Linguistics Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Methodologies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Endalew Fufa (2009). Factors Negatively Affecting Students’ Cooperative Learning. Adama; Adama University.
Evdokia, K. D.(1996). Using Attitude Scales to Investigate Teachers’ Attitudes to the Communicative Approach. ELT Journal 50(3). Oxford University Press.
Fehling, S. (2008). Cooperative Learning in EFL Classroom. Retrieved December 18, 2013, from http://www.iaie.org/downloadfehling.pdf
Harmer, J. (1991). The Practice of English Language Teaching. London.
Jacob, G. M., and Hall, S. (2007). Implementing Cooperative Learning: Methodology in Language teaching. New York: Cambridge University Press.
James, C, Flowers and John. M. Ritz, (1994). Cooperative Learning in Technology Education. Virginia Council on Technology Teacher Education.
Johnson, D.W, and Johnson, R .T. (1989). Cooperation and Competition: Theory Research. Edina, MN: Introduction Book Company.
Johnson, D.W, and Johnson, R .T. (1994). Learning Together and Alone; Cooperative, Competitive, and individualistic Learning (4the d). Boston; Allyn and Bacon.
Johnson, R.W.(1999). Learning Together and Cooperative, Competitive and an Individualistic Learning (5th ed). Engel woud cliffs NJ; prentice Hall.
Johnson, D. W. and Johnson, R. T.(1999). Learning Together and Alone: Cooperative, Competitive, and Individualistic Learning (5th ed). Boston: Allyn andBacon.
Johnson, D.W., Johnson, R.T., and Holubec, E. (2008). Cooperation in Classroom (8th Ed.). Edina, MN: Interaction Book Company.
Jolliffe,, W. (2007). Cooperative Learning in the Classroom; Putting in to Practice, Paul Chapman Publication; London ECTY ISP.
Kagan, S. (1985). We can Talk-Cooperative Learning in the Elementary Classroom. Washington, DC (ERIC Document Production, No. ED, 382035).ales from the Real World. Australia: Allen and Unwin.
Kessler, C.C. (1992). Cooperative Language Learning teachers Resources. Prentice-Ha Inc .
Mc Groarty, M. (1989). Cooperative Learning and Second Language Acquisition. In D.D.Holt (ED.), Cooperative Learning. Washington, DC: Centre of Applied Linguistics and ERIC Clearinghouse on Language and Linguistics.
Meng, J. (2010). Cooperative Learning Method in Practice of English Reading and Speaking. Journals of Language Teaching and Research 1(5). 701-705.
MoE. (2008). General Education Quality Implementation Program, FDRE, Addis Ababa: MOE.
Mujis, D. (2004). Doing Quantitative Research in Education.
London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Nunan, D. (1992). Task-based Language Teaching.
Cambridge: Cambridge University press.
Nunan, D. (1992). Collaborative Language Learning and Teaching Boston: Heine and Heine Publisher.
Oxford, R.L. (1997). Cooperative Learning, Collaborative Learning and Interaction: Three Communicative Strands in the Language Classroom. The Modern Language Journal 81(4): L443-445.
Palmer, G. Peters and Streetman, R. (2003). Cooperative Learning. In: M. Orey (ED.) Emerging perspectives on Learning, Teaching, and Technology. Retrieved Nov 3, 2013,from http// projects, Coe.uga.edu/Inex.
Richards, J.C. and Rodgers, T.S. (2001). Approaches and Methods and Language Teaching (2nd ed). Cambridge: Cambridge University press.
Robson, C. (1993). Real World Research: A resource for Social Sciences and Practitioner - researchers. Australia: Black Well Publishing.
Sarantakos, S. (1993). Social Research. Australia: Macmillan Australia Pvt. Ltd.
Seid Mohammed (2012). Effects of Cooperative Learning on Reading Comprehension Achievement in EFL and Social Skills. Addis Ababa University: Addis Ababa.
Sharan, S. (1990). The Group Investigation Approach to Cooperative Learning: Theoretical Foundations. Perspectives on Small group Learning: Theory and Practice. Canada: Rubicon pub, Inc.
Slavin, R.E. (1987). Cooperative Learning and the Cooperative School. Educational Leadership 45(3): 7-13.
Slavin, R.E. (1990). Comprehensive Cooperative Learning Models: Embedding Cooperative Learning in the Curriculum and the School. In: S. Sharon (Ed.), Cooperative Learning .Theory and practice. New York: Praeger.
Slavin, R.E. (1991). Synthesis of Research on Cooperative Learning. Education Leadership 48(5): 71-77.
Slavin, R.E. (1994). A practical Guide to Cooperative Learning. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Trowel, J. (2003). Cooperative Learning in Secondary Education: A curriculum Perspective. In: R.M. Gillis and
A.F. Ashman (Eds.), Cooperative Learning. The Social and Intellectual Outcomes of Learning in Groups (54-68), London and New York: Rutledge Flamer Taylor and Francis Group.
Zhang,Y. (2010). Cooperative Learning and Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Journal of Language Teaching and Researching 1(1): 81-83.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2015 Journal of Science, Technology and Arts Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
STAR © 2023 Copyright; All rights reserved
