Skip to main content

Tenets and Practices of Collaborative Learning in Classrooms: Empirical Supports

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Investigating Chinese HE EFL Classrooms

Abstract

As the preceding chapter has presented the theoretical supports and pedagogical rationale for using CL, this chapter reviews the circumstances when CL is applied in the classrooms where more empirical findings regarding its benefits as well as demerits are described. It also makes an account concerning how CL is used and researched in the Chinese EFL classrooms. A critique of the methods used in the area of research serves as the final part of this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    This refers to education for all-round development. It is a kind of ability-oriented education, which required that education should improve all aspects of those educated as the goals. It aims for ideological and moral quality enhancement, capacity building, personality development, and physical and mental health education, all of which deviate from traditional exam-oriented one (Ma and Tu 2010).

References

  • Aston G (1986) Trouble-shooting in interaction with learners: the more the merrier? Appl Linguist 7(2):128–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Auerbach ER (1993) Reexamining english only in the ESL classroom. TESOL Q 27(1):9–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barfield RL (2003) Students’ perceptions of and satisfaction with group grades and the group experience in the college classroom. Assess Eval High Educ 28(4):355–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bejarano Y (1987) A cooperative small-group methodology in the language classroom. TESOL Q 21:483–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowing M, Leggett B, Harvey M, Leng H (2007) Opening up thinking: reflections on group work in a bilingual postgraduate program. Int J Teach Learn High Educ 19(2):105–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown JD (1989) Language program evaluation: a synthesis of existing possibilities. In: Johnson K (ed) The second language curriculum. Cambridge University, Cambridge, pp 222–241

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bryman A (2008) Social research methods. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Cantwell RH, Andrews B (2002) Cognitive and psychological factors underlying secondary students’ feelings towards group work. Educ Psycho Int J Exp Educ Psychol 22(1):75–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan S (1999) The Chinese learner: a question of style. Educ + Training 41(6/7):294–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen H-C (1999) A comparison between cooperative learning and traditional, whole-class methods-teaching english in a junior college. Acad J Kang-Ning 3:69–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen H-C (2008) Cooperative learning on second/foreign language education: theory and practice. Acad J Kang Ning 10:197–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen RY, Hird B (2006) Group work in the EFL classroom in China: a closer look. RELC J 37(1):91–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark J, Baker T, Li MS (2007) Student success: bridging the gap for Chinese students in collaborative learning. 2007 ISANA international conference “student success in international education”, 27–30 November, Stamford Grand, Glenelg, Adelaide, Australia. Accessed 18th June 2010 from http://www.isana.org.au/files/isana07final00011.pdf

  • Cohen EG (1986) Designing group work: strategies for the heterogeneous classroom. Teachers College Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook V (2001) Using the first language in the classroom. Can Mod Lang Rev 57(3):402–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortazzi M, Jin LX (1996) Cultures of learning: language classrooms in China. In: Coleman H (ed) Society and the language classroom. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 129–206

    Google Scholar 

  • De Guerrero M, Villamil OS (1994) Socio-cognitive dimensions of interaction in L2 peer revision. Mod Lang J 78(4):484–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dean AL (1994) Instinctual affective forces in the internalization process: contributions of Hans Loewald. Human Dev 37(1):42–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deen JY (1987) An analysis of classroom interaction in a cooperative learning and teacher-centered setting. Unpublished Master’s thesis, University of California, Los Angeles, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Deen JY (1991) Comparing interaction in a cooperative learning and teacher-centered foreign language classroom. Rev Appl Linguist 93–94:153–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Dillenbourg P, Baker M, Blaye A, O’Malley C (1996) The evolution of research on collaborative learning. In: Spada E, Reiman P (eds) Learning in humans and machine: towards an interdisciplinary learning science. Elsevier, Oxford, pp 189–211

    Google Scholar 

  • DiNitto R (2000) Can collaboration be unsuccessful? a sociocultural analysis of classroom setting and Japanese L2 performance in group tasks. J Assoc Teachers Japan 34(2):179–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diza S, Moll L, Mehan H (1986) Sociocultural resources in instruction: a context-specific approach. In California state department of education (eds.) Beyond language: social and cultural factors in schooling language minority students, pp 187–230. Los Angeles, CA: Evaluation, Dissemination and Assessment Center, California State University, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Donato R (1994) Collective scaffolding in second language learning. In: Lantolf J, Appel G (eds) Vygotskian approaches to second language research. Ablex Publishing Cooperation, Norwood, pp 33–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei Z (1994) Motivation and motivating in the foreign language classroom. Mod Lang J 78(3):273–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei Z (1997) Psychological processes in cooperative language learning: group dynamics and motivation. Mod Lang J 81(4):482–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dörnyei Z (2001) Teaching and researching motivation. In: Christopher N, David R (eds) Applied linguistics in action series. Pearson Education Limited, Harlow

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis R (2003) Task-based language learning and teaching. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Fillmore LW, Ammon P, McLaughlin B, Ammon MS (1985) Learning English through Bilingual instruction. Final report. California Univ.ersity, Berkeley. Washington, DC: National Institute of Education

    Google Scholar 

  • Flowerdew L (1998) A cultural perspective on group work. ELT J 52(4):323–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foster P (1996) Doing the task better: how planning time influences students’ performance. In: Willis J, Willis D (eds) Challenge and change in language teaching. Macmillan Heinemann, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox R (2001) Constructivism examined. Oxford Rev Educ 27(1):23–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner RC, MacIntyre PD (1991) An instrumental motivation in language study: who says it isn’t effective? Stud Second Lang Acquisition 13(1):57–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner RC, Lalonde RN, Moorcroft R, Evers FT (1987) Second language attrition: the role of motivation and use. J Lang Soc Psychol 6(1):29–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner RC, Day JB, MacIntyre PD (1992) Integrative motivation, induced anxiety, and language learning in a controlled environment. Stud Second Lang Acquisition 14:197–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein LS (1999) The relational zone: the role of caring relationships in the co-construction of mind. Am Educ Res J 36(3):647–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harkins SG, Jackson JM (1985) The role of evaluation in eliminating social loafing. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 11(4):457–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hertz-Lazarowitz R, Benvinisti Kirkus V, Miller N (1992) Implications of current research on cooperative interaction for classroom application. In: Hert-Lazarowitz R, Miller N (eds) Interaction in cooperative groups: the theoretical anatomy of group learning. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp 253–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Hird B (1995) How communicative can language teaching be in China? Prospect 10(3):21–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang YS, Yu SM (2005) Integrated skills of English. Higher Education Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Huong LPH (2006) Learning vocabulary in group work in Vietnam. RELC J Reg Lang Cent J 37(1):105–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Huong L, McDonald G (2004) Mediation through the first language: a sociocultural study of group work in Vietnam. NZ Stud Appl Linguist 10(1):31–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang YM (2009) Applying group work to improve college students’ oral english. Int Educ Stud 2(3):136–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin LJ, Singh M, Li LQ (2005) Communicative language teaching in China: misconceptions, applications and perceptions. A Paper presented at AARE’ 05 education research “creative dissent: constructive solutions”. The Australian Association for Research in Education

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson RB, Onwuegbuzie AJ (2004) Mixed methods research: a research paradigm whose time has come. Educ Res 33(7):14–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones A, Issroff K (2005) Learning technologies: affective and social Issues in computer-supported collaborative learning. Comput Educ 44(4):395–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Julkunen K (2001) Situation-and-task-specific motivation in foreign language learning. In: Dörnyei Z, Schmidt R (eds) Motivation and second language acquisition (Technical report #23, pp 29–41). University of Hawaii Press. Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center, Honolulu

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr NL, Bruun SE (1983) Dispensability of member effort and group motivation losses: free-rider effects. J Pers Soc Psychol 44(1):78–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littlewood W (2000) Do Asian students really want to listen and obey? ELT J 54(1):31–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu MH (2006) Anxiety in Chinese EFL students at different proficiency levels. Syst Int J Educ Technol Appl Linguist 34(3):301–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma R (1997) The english language learning strategies of a sample of PRC tertiary level students. Unpublished MA thesis, National University of Singapore, RELC-NUS

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma MH, Tu ZM (2010) Gao-Xiao-Ren-Wen-Su-Zhi-Jiao-Yu-Lun (The theory of quality education in higher education. South China University of Technology Press, Guangzhou

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackey A, Gass SM (2005) Second language research: methodology and design. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah

    Google Scholar 

  • McGroarty M (1989) The Benefits of Cooperative Learning Arrangements in Second Language Instruction. NABE J Nat Assoc Bilingual Educ 13(2):127–143

    Google Scholar 

  • McGroarty M (1992) Cooperative learning: the benefits for content area teaching. In: Richard PA, Snow MA (eds) The multicultural classroom: reading for content-area teachers. Longman, White Plains, pp 58–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Melles G (2004) Understanding the role of language/culture in group work through qualitative interviewing. Qual Rep 9(2):216–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng R (2005) Cooperative learning. US-China Foreign Lang 3(9):79–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen PM, Terlouw C, Pilot A (2006) Culturally appropriate pedagogy: the case of group learning in a confucian heritage culture context. Int Educ 17(1):1–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohta AS (1995) Applying sociocultural theory to an analysis of learner discourse: learner-learner collaborative interaction in the zone of proximal development. Issues Appl Linguist 6(2):93–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxford R (1997) Cooperative learning, collaborative learning, and interaction: three communication strands in the language classroom. Mod Lang J 81(4):443–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall V (1999) Collaborative learning: abused or overused? Educ Dig 65(2):29–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao ZH (2002) Chinese students’ perceptions of communicative and non-communicative activities in EFL classroom. System 30:85–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swain M (2000) The output hypothesis and beyond: mediating acquisition through collaborative dialogue. In: Lantolf JP (ed) Sociocultural theory and second language learning. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 97–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Swain M, Lapkin S (1998) Interaction and second language learning: two adolescent french immersion students working together. Mod Lang J 82(3):320–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swain M, Lapkin S (2000) Task-based second language learning: the use of the first language. Lang Teach Res 4(3):251–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi E (1998) Language development in social interaction: a longitudinal study of a Japanese FLES program from a Vygotskian approach. Foreign Lang Ann 31(3):392–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky LS (1978) Mind in society: the development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertsch JV (1985) Vygotsky and the social formation of mind. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertsch JV, Tulviste P (1992) L. S. Vygotsky and contemporary developmental psychology. Dev Psychol 28(4):548–557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White F, Lloyd H, Kennedy G, Stewart C (2005) An investigation of undergraduate students’ feelings and attitudes towards group work and group assessment. Conference Paper in Higher Education in a Changing World. In: Proceedings of the 28th HERDSA annual conference, Sydney, 3rd–6th July, pp 614–623. Accessed 8th September 2010 from http://www.herdsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/conference/2005/papers/white.pdf

  • Xi HM, Li R, Zhang H (2007) A study on group work in college english collaborative teaching. Sino-US Engl Teach 4(2):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y (2010) Cooperative language learning and foreign language learning and teaching. J Lang Teach Res 1(1):81–83

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lin Lin .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lin, L. (2015). Tenets and Practices of Collaborative Learning in Classrooms: Empirical Supports. In: Investigating Chinese HE EFL Classrooms. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44503-7_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44503-7_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-44502-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-44503-7

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics