EFL Learners' Attitude towards Group Work: The Case of High and Low Achievers
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Date
2011-06
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AAU
Abstract
The study sought to describe and compare high and low academic achiever students' attitude
towards group work, It has used samples of grade 12 students from Belay Zeleke preparatory
school. Sixty sample students were selected from ten sections through purposive sampling
technique so that there were thi rty high achiever and thirty low achiever students for this study. '
To achieve the intended goal, the study has used descripti ve-comparative study design and
qualitative & quantitative data gathering methods. Kouros & Abrami's (2006) questionnaire was
employed with important modifications. The modified self-report questionnaire with 29- items
administered to all sample students. In addition, interview was used with 10 high and low
achiever learners. Data obtai ned through the questionnaire were analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version-l3. The descriptive stati stics such as mean values,
standard deviations, and Independent T-test were considered in the di scussion. During the
di scussion, data obtained through the self report questionnaire were deeply analyzed together
with the data obtained through interview.
Results of the study revealed that both group of high and low achiever students have a favorable
attitude towards group work and no significant difference was found in their attitude. Based on
the data gained it is concluded that academic achievement level does not play any significant role
in differentiating learners' attitude towards group work.
Since the students do not vary in terms of their group work attitude based on the level of their
achievement, it is recommended that teachers of English should incorporate group work
activities in their teaching strategies by taking all necessary preparations. Students must also
provide input in designing group work like group size, group composition, the time needed, and
other related things.
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compare high and low academic achiever students' attitude towards group work