Role of Cooperative Learning in Improving Language Proficiency and Academic Achievement in English of Elementary Students: An Experimental Study

Abstract

English language, as it is employed as a common medium used for communication with people, whom native language is not understandable. In this regard, Governments of developing countries paying attention to promoting English. That require upgradation in the curriculum, as well as, the shift of teaching methodology from teacher to student centered, are the basic requisites for making the change in the educational system possible. That provides opportunities for cooperative learning. Therefore the current experimental study was carried out to find the role of cooperative learning in promoting language proficiency and achievement with regards to English among 8th grade students, who are supposed to study in the private schools of Lahore. The 8th grade students enrolled in private schools of Lahore district implied the population of the study. Whereas, the two girls sections of the 8th class of The Educators School, Jinnah Campus, Lahore, were chosen as the sample and nominated as experimental and control groups. Before and after the intervention, English language proficiency tests (EPT) to measure the students' proficiency in English and English achievement test (EAT) to identify students’ achievement in English developed by the researchers were utilized. Findings highlighted that cooperative learning is an effective teaching methodology that proves beneficial in the improvement of 8th grade students' proficiency and achievement in English. It is recommended that our teachers may use such innovative teaching methodologies in their classroom that not only promote students' involvement for discussion on the relevant topic