HOW GROUP WORK ACTIVITIES HELP STUDENTS LEARN ENGLISH BETTER.
Keywords:
Group work, EFL learners, classroom participation, speaking skills, cooperative learning, student motivation, communicative competence, language learning, collaborative learning, secondary school studentsAbstract
The use of group work activities has become an important strategy in English language teaching because it encourages communication, cooperation, and active participation among students. However, the effectiveness of group work in improving students’ English learning still needs further exploration in classroom contexts.
This study aims to investigate how group work activities help students learn English better and increase their participation during lessons. The study included 16 EFL (English as a Foreign language) students. A mixed-method research design was used, including questionnaires, classroom observations, and short interviews to collect data about students’ experiences and attitudes toward group work activities among 8 th grade students. The findings show that group work helps students improve their speaking ability, develop communication skills, and increase their confidence in using English. Students also become more motivated and active when they work together to complete learning tasks. However, some challenges were identified, such as different language abilities among group members, unequal participation and time limitations. The results indicate that well-organized group work activities can significantly support students’ English learning and create a more interactive and collaborative classroom environment.
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