COOPERATIVE LEARNING IN EFL CLASSROOM

1. COOPERATIVE LEARNING IN EFL CLASSROOM Using Group Work to Promote Language Learning and Motivation Università degli Studi di Udine SSIS 2007/2008 Report A046 Silvia Perissinotto

2. Structure • Introduction • Cooperative Learning. What are the advantages and disadvantages? • How can we use group work to improve students’ motivation and creativity? • Cooperative Learning: My experience as a trainee • Conclusion Silvia Perissinotto

3. Cooperative Learning.Advantages • More time for students’ oral production • Students get used to helping and learning from each others • Greater involvement of each member of the class • Less confident students can practice language without feeling teacher’s pressure • Variety adds spice to the classroom Silvia Perissinotto

4. Cooperative Learning.Disadvantages • Group work can lose its meaning if handled in an automatic way • Risk of unbalanced division of roles • Possible conflicts within the groups • Risk of discipline problems • Not integrated students or shy students do not feel at ease in the group Silvia Perissinotto

5. How can we use Group Work to Improve Motivation and Creativity? • Leave students free to choose the topic • Use authentic materials (ex newspaper articles) • Use modern technologies (ex computer, CD player) • Divide the activities according to students’ attitudes and interests Silvia Perissinotto

6. Cooperative Learning. My Experience At School At SSIS Silvia Perissinotto

7. Conclusions Considerations on Theory and Practice. The Outcomes of My Cooperative Learning Experience. Silvia Perissinotto