Enhancing Pupils’ Problem-Solving Skills Through Collaborative Learning The case of third- Years EFL Students at Idriss El Affifi Secondary School of Ain Temouchent

Abstract

The present research aims to explore the effectiveness of cooperative group work in enhancing and improving learners’ problem-solving skills. The present work is mainly concerned with making use of pair or small groups to boost learners’ problem-solving skills. It also endeavours to shed light on the importance of establishing a pleasant and motivating atmosphere as a way to get learners to use the language to solve problems from simple ones to solving difficult tasks, this has been one of the greatest challenges in EFL education for many years. Trying to find an effective method is an important educational task. The present study describes an exploratory investigation that is designed to determine the effects of cooperative teaching and learning techniques on the development of problem-solving skills. As a shift to learner-centredness, which gives a great importance to the learner as an integral part of the teaching-learning process that enable the learner to become active and responsible for his/her own learning. Thus implementing cooperative learning in EFL can facilitate the promotion of learners’ problem-solving skills. Hence, both of teachers and learners should take part in this teaching and learning process. To fulfil this research work, a case study research was conducted at El-Idrissi El Affifi secondary school in the province of Ain Temouchent by means of three research instruments. A questionnaire was distributed to third year high school pupils, another questionnaire was distributed to EFL teachers as well as a classroom observation as it is a qualitative method for measuring classroom behaviour. Thus the data collected out of these research instruments were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The practical outcome of the study has displayed that cooperative learning is an effective method to get learners engaged into improving their problem-solving skills, and cooperative skills, therefore, active involvement into learning is deemed the cornerstone of effective and meaningful learning