Classroom Research: What do ELT Teacher Trainees Experience When Performing Collaborative Group-Work Tasks?

Abstract

This classroom research firstly examines strengths and weaknesses of performing cooperative group work tasks within the context of “Teaching English to Young Learners” course by dwelling on the most exigent problems to offer solutions to provide learners more qualified educational experiences and have more empowered pre-service learners. This study was conducted with 75 teacher trainees enrolled in Uludag University Faculty of Education ELT Department in Turkey. The data were collected via both quantitative and qualitative instruments such as open-ended and semi-structured questionnaires in addition to semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that the problems were mostly related to equal work sharing, and conflict among group members. Finally, suggested solutions were offered in the light of the interview results

Keywords

• Teacher education, teacher trainees, teaching English to young learners, group work, cooperative tasks

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