Linguistics and Literature Studies Vol. 2(4), pp. 121 - 130
DOI: 10.13189/lls.2014.020403
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The Effect of Cooperative Learning Activities on Writing Skills of Iranian EFL Learners

Saeideh Ahangari ^*, Zarrin Samadian
Department of English language, College of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

ABSTRACT

Recent trends in second and foreign language pedagogy reflect a shift of focus from traditional teacher-dominated classes to more learner-centered contexts. Cooperative learning as opposed to individualistic and competitive learning, has been proclaimed as an effective and fruitful teaching method to improve the learner’s linguistic, social and communicative competence. Cooperative learning requires learners to work together in groups to achieve a common goal and have the same measure of success. Maximizing the opportunities for student-student interaction with meaningful input and output in a supportive environment, cooperative learning has been confirmed as a desirable method for teaching all language elements. This study has investigated the impact of cooperative learning through Learning Together Model, proposed by Johnson and Johnson in 1987, on the writing skills of Iranian EFL learners. Thirty learners who were selected based on their English proficiency scores participated in this study. They were divided into two groups of experimental and control that took a pre-test and post-test in writing. The results of comparing their pre-test with their post-test scores indicated statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups on the dependent variable and lent empirical support to the language teachers using cooperative learning as their teaching system. Some pedagogical implications can be offered as the results of the study. Language teachers by using cooperative learning techniques can create an enjoyable class of maximized participation and outcome. EFL learners in a cooperative learning environment, explore the language knowledge that they want to master.

KEYWORDS
Competitive Leaning, Cooperative Learning, Group Processing, Heterogeneous Grouping, Individual Accountability, Learning Together Model, Positive Interdependence

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Saeideh Ahangari , Zarrin Samadian , "The Effect of Cooperative Learning Activities on Writing Skills of Iranian EFL Learners," Linguistics and Literature Studies, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 121 - 130, 2014. DOI: 10.13189/lls.2014.020403.

(b). APA Format:
Saeideh Ahangari , Zarrin Samadian (2014). The Effect of Cooperative Learning Activities on Writing Skills of Iranian EFL Learners. Linguistics and Literature Studies, 2(4), 121 - 130. DOI: 10.13189/lls.2014.020403.