The Effect of Cooperative Learning on Developing EFL Learners ' Oral Skills

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of cooperative learning in developing oral 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 in Saudi Arabia intermediate school for girls. Pre and posttests were conducted for both groups. In order to investigate their attitudes towards learning English Language specially, using cooperative learning to develop oral skills. Selected groups of the learners were also interviewed on impact importance of this 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 oral test compared to their performance in the pre-experimental test. The results of the post experimental questionnaire and the interviews also revealed that the pupils developed better attitudes towards learning English using cooperative learning strategy, specially, to develop their oral skills.

The results of the researcher’s interviews have also confirmed the positive effect and importance of this technique.

Therefore, it could be recommended to adopt cooperative learning in EFL classrooms to include other language skills as well as grammar. It is also recommended that further studies could be undertaken out with larger groups of learners.