The Use Of Cooperative Language Learning To English Teaching In High Schools

Cooperative learning (CL) is regarded as one of the most efficient teaching strategies. Many researches have proved that CL is effective in improving both social skills and academic achievement In order to explore its effect on students' English proficiency and attitudes towards learning; the researcher conducted an experimental study in Senior high school. The experimental class received the cooperative method of learning while the control class was taught with the traditional frontal instruction method. The data collection includes the following techniques: two English proficiency tests, two questionnaires, interviews and learning journals. The following is a summary of the findings of the study.First, the English proficiency tests show that the experimental class and the control class have not gained significant difference.Second, compared with the control class, motivation, learning interest, and self-esteem are greatly enhanced in the experimental class.Third, the learning atmosphere in the experimental class is relaxed and active with low pressure; While in the control class the learning atmosphere is inflexible and passive with high pressure.Fourth, the social skills, interpersonal relationship and cooperative personality are improved in the experimental class. On the contrary, the control class remains competitive relationship.Fifth, students' comments on CL in the experimental class are overall positive.Finally the researcher points out some problems in implementing cooperative language learning and emphasizes that it is important to foster the sense of cooperation, some suggestions of facilitating cooperative learning and collaboration among students and teachers' professional development.