Cooperative vs. individual learning of oral skills in a CALL environment

Abstract

This study aims at finding out the effectiveness of two computer-mediated techniques - cooperative and collective learning - designed for teaching and learning oral skills, listening and speaking. It also aims to investigate students' attitude towards using a CALL approach and techniques for teaching oral skills. Four small groups are involved. One studies oral skills with a cooperative computer-mediated technique; the second is taught via a collective computer-mediated technique; the third studies with a cooperative traditional technique; and the fourth uses a collective traditional technique. The findings - based on a limited number of participants - show that the cooperative computer-mediated technique is a functional method for learning and teaching oral skills. The survey conducted in this study also shows that students react positively to both the CALL approach and the cooperative computer-mediated technique. This study recommends that CALL be integrated into oral curriculum.