Cooperative Learning: An Effective Approach In English Classroom Teaching

Cooperative learning is a theoretic and strategic system applied by many countries in the world in the past three decades. Many researches have proved that it is a creative and effective teaching approach. There has been a growing consensus among researchers about the positive effects of cooperative learning on student achievements as well as social affective aspects.Based on the literary review at home and abroad and New National Standard for English Curriculum, the author thinks that the application of this teaching approach can change the traditional ways of English teaching, which pays too much attention to the explanation of grammar and vocabulary; and develop students' competence of language use. The method, based on students' learning interest, life experience and their cognitive levels, creates more opportunities of practice, involvement, cooperation and communication for students, develops their positive affection, facilitates their active thinking and practice, and improves their cross-cultural awareness and their autonomous learning.This paper proposes a feasible model of cooperative learning in classroom instruction through case analysis, experiments and discussion of the results. The paper holds that the implementation principles, procedures and assessment will provide the enlightenment for English teachers and researchers, and increase the efficiency of English teaching. According to the results and analysis of the experiment, the paper draws a conclusion that cooperative learning is an effective teaching method in English classroom teaching in high schools.