Group learning has been extensively studied. Many of the benefits have been documented in scientific research. So have other styles of teaching. So, let’s examine 10 of the known benefits of group learning.
1. The quantity of learner speech can increase
In teacher-fronted classrooms, teachers typically speak 80% of the time; in group work more students talk for more of the time.
2. The variety of speech acts can increase In teacher-fronted classrooms, students are cast in a responsive role, but in group work they perform different roles, including those involved in the negotiation of meaning.
3. There can be more individualization of instruction In teacher fronted-lessons, teachers shape their instruction to the needs of the average student; in group work to the needs of individual students.
4. Anxiety can be reduced Students feel less nervous speaking in an L2 in front of their peers than in front of the whole class.
5. Motivation can increase Students are less competitive when working in groups and more likely encourage each other.
6. Enjoyment can increase Students are ‘social animals’; they enjoy interacting with others; in teacher-fronted classrooms student-student interaction is often proscribed.
7. Independence can increase Group activities help students to become independent learners.
8. Social integration can increase Group activities enable students to get to know each other.
9. Students can learn how to work together with others In typical teacher-fronted classrooms students are discouraged from helping each other; group work helps students to learn collaborative skills.
10. Learning can increase Learning is enhanced by group work because students are willing to take risks and can scaffold each other’s efforts.
Source: Ellis 2005, p.22 from https://www.richmondshare.com.br/ten-potential-advantages-of-group-activities-in-language-instruction/
Comments