Developing Collaborative Skills in Second Language Learning Process

Abstract
Cooperative learning method is a distinctive way to improve the classroom social
psychological atmosphere in order to stimulate students become coherent and collaborative
learners to make greater progress. This method requires not only the cooperative interaction
among students, but also the interaction between students and teachers, and among teachers.
Session Description
In my observation experience of CO150, I found that due to the modest and introvert
personalities of most of the Asian students, the class did not have enough interaction between
students and teachers. However, the ability to work with others collaboratively and cohesively is
highly demanded not only in the ESL/EFL classrooms, but also required in the academic area
and professional careers. Hence, we need to fill in the gaps between what are taught in the
classroom and how to apply students ability. Teachers should involve students to be a part of the
process of collaboration and group work to ensure the classroom has mutual and equal
interactions. Moreover, teachers should respect the diverse personalities of students, pay
attention to their differences and try to meet their needs. For example, students can construct an
essay argument jointly by brainstorming and revising by group work. Meanwhile this kind of
activity can also increase the chances that students communicate and create well-organized work.
By doing so, students are motivated to participate in both learning and teaching process as well
as to retain skills and knowledge such as information gathering and analyzing, problem solving,
and collaborative communication.