The Effect of Cooperative Learning on Developing EFL Students' Writing Skills

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of cooperative learning in developing writing skills of the learners of the English as a foreign Language (EFL) and their attitudes towards learning English language using cooperative learning. The subjects of the study were 80 pupils representing the experimental group and another 80 pupils as control group at AL-Khaleej Intermediate national school for girls in Saudi Arabia. Pre and posttests were conducted for both groups. In order to investigate their attitudes towards learning English Language specially when using cooperative learning to develop writing skills. A questionnaire was also conducted to teachers regarding this teaching technique. The results of the study showed that the pupils in the experimental group outperformed themselves significantly with (P-value 0.000) in the post experimental writing test compared to their performance in the pre- experimental test. The results of the teachers’ questionnaire have also confirmed the positive effect and importance of this technique. Therefore, it could be recommended that cooperative learning in EFL classrooms could be adopted including other language skills as well as grammar. It is also suggested that further studies could be undertaken with larger groups of learners .