A Study On Cooperative Learning And Its Implications For College EFL Teaching

The purposes of this study is to explore the feasibility of Cooperative Learning (CL) in college EFL class in China and through the following specific points in an empirical study to show that: whether CL can improve overall atmosphere of language classrooms; whether it is helpful to the improvement of English proficiency especially for listening and speaking; compared with teacher-centered classroom, what psychological changes and different behaviors happen to students; what benefits and possible difficulties teachers find in implementing CL, and then some applicable suggestions will be given.This thesis is from theoretical and practical aspects by taking up the following points: the rising of CL, its theoretical basis, techniques, essential factors, and an empirical study. The methods of this study consist of a questionnaire addressed to the students, interview, and classroom behavior observation. The study focuses on students'psychological changes and classroom behaviors in CL, and students'attitudes toward CL as well. Judging from classroom behavior observation, interview and based on the findings drawn from the data analysis of the questionnaire, the writer finds that implementation of CL in college EFL class has the feasibility and can get the success if there are adequate preparation of teachers and students.The practical implication of this thesis is to give people a comprehensive view of what CL is, and through an empirical study to provide some applicable suggestions for teachers and students using CL in college EFL class.