Examining the Influence of Cooperative Learning on Improving EFL Learners' Communication Skills

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the influence of Cooperative Learning Strategy on Improving EFL Learners’ Communication Skills. To carry out this study, the researcher based on reviewing some vistas concerning the concept of cooperative learning in the Holy Quran, some models of the Honored Sunnah, literature review and the related studies, adopted a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative). Pre and post tests were used to the control and experimental groups before and after the intervention in order to evaluate the level of students’ oral production. A questionnaire was availed to lecturers' community which was used as a tool to investigate their views about cooperative learning. To that, an interview was also presented to some educational experts for shedding light on the importance of Cooperative Learning Strategy. Collected data were categorized and analyzed through qui-squire and SPSS program to answer the questions and verify the hypotheses of the study. The results of the study revealed that: cooperative learning is an effective technique in enhancing students’ speaking skills and fostering their positive attitudes to communicate in English. Moreover, the results showed positive interdependence among students through promoting their sociality, participation and self-confidence building mechanism when they interact with each other. In the light of the study results, it’s recommended that: teachers should be illuminated about the importance of establishing a close rapport among students’ groups through the application of cooperative learning activities to help them interact and practice speaking skills. Then future researches should be done experimentally to test out the applicability of the study findings and recommendations.