Investigating Problems Related to Coopera Tive Learning in English Classes With Reference to Grade 10 Students of Fenote Birhan Secondary School
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate problems related to cooperative
learning with reference to grade 10 students in Fenote Birhan secondary School
in Adigrat town. Specifically, the study also dealt with identifying the roles that
English teachers play to alleviate problems related to cooperative learning.
To conduct the study, a descriptive survey method was employed. 118 students
and 5 English teachers were subjects of the study. Student subjects were
selected using random sampling technique. Three data gathering tools namely,
questionnaire, interview, and observation were used to collect data for the study.
Erggygn.q; andyerce~tage were used to analyze the close -ended data whereas
qualitative data ana YSls . was used for open-ended questions, interview, and
observation.
The result of the study showed that there were several problems during
cooperative learning in ยท English classes. In line with this, some students
dominated cooperative learning. Majority of the students used their mother
tongue instead of the target language. The time allotted for cooperative learning
was very little. Students did not cooperate when they were grouped with those
whom they were not familiar with. Students did not have good English ability to
share ideas among themselves. Most students did not use their team praclice
time effectively. Some students were misbehaving and malcing noise and
disturbing others. The physical arrangement of classes was not suitable for
cooperative learning as the chairs and deslcs were fixed. Similarly, the data
revealed that English teachers disregarded some of their duties during different
stages of cooperative learning.
Based on the findings, it was concluded that dominating group by some
students, students' low English ability, use of mother tongue, misbehavior, noise,
insufficient time allotted by teachers, students' grouping unwillingness with
others, in appropriate classroom arrangement, and students' inability to use the
allotted time effectively were the problems encountered during cooperative
learning in English classes. Hence, English teachers should consider thes~
problems and then should exert maximum efforts to promote students'
cooperative learning.
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Investigating Problems Related