Collaborative Learning To Develop English Language Skills

Abstract

Collaborative learning is an approach to teaching that makes maximum use of collaborative and interactive activities involving pairs and small groups of learners in the classroom.

Students learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process Researchers report that students working in small groups tend to learn more of[1] what is taught and retain it longer then when the same content is presented in other instructional formats Students who work in collaborative groups fare well in their classes

Collaborative instructional system advocates groups of three & five students to solve a problem or pose a question for an answer. In large classes groups so formed can be particularly useful to check on students understanding of the materials as also giving them an opportunity to apply what they are learning or to facilitate their learning

Collaborative learning has currently been employed in many institutions as a way of promoting communicative interaction in the classroom and is viewed as a learner-centered approach to teaching with advantages over teacher-fronted classroom methods Collaborative learning fosters the development of critical thinking, discussions, clarification of ideas and evaluation of others ideas