Strengths and Weaknesses of Applying Cooperative Learning in Foreign Language Classrooms: A Case Study of Arab Learners’ Perspectives

Abstract

This study aims to explore the strengths and weaknesses of implementing Cooperative Learning (CL) in language classrooms from learners’ perspectives. Many studies have investigated the effect of CL on learners’ L2 production, but fewer studies have been conducted to discover the strengths and possible weaknesses of applying CL. Therefore, this study is undertaken to investigate Saudi learners’ views towards the strengths and weaknesses of implementing CL in foreign language classrooms. The participants are six low-level Saudi EFL learners enrolled in a general English course as part of their foundation year requirements. The participants were first given a language background questionnaire and a language proficiency test to determine their current proficiency levels. They were then exposed to CL in their language classes for a total of six hours, after which they were asked to take part in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were designed to gather the learners’ opinions of using CL activities in classrooms after they had experienced the use of it. The study outlines the strengths and weaknesses of CL as reported by the participants. Based on the findings, the study highlights some teaching implications for language practitioners and provides suggestions for future research.