Observations from the language classroom: the importance of the group

Prescott Francis J.: Observations from the language classroom: the importance of the group. In: EduLingua, (3) 1. pp. 1-18. (2017)

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Abstract

The concept of group dynamics, coined by psychologist Kurt Lewin in the 1940s to describe behaviour in social groups, was first applied to the foreign language classroom in 1997 by Dörnyei and Maldarez as a way of exploring how group processes affect learning outcomes. This paper reports on a small-scale longitudinal case study of four university study skills classes for novice students and examines how the four teachers’ differing approaches to group dynamics affected the students’ experiences in those classes. The aim was to find what the differences were between the groups and to see what effect they had on the students’ learning. The research was done over an entire academic year using semi-sructured qualitative interviews with both students and teachers, and the data (transcribed interviews) was analysed using the constant comparative method developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967). While the findings do not provide direct evidence that more cohesive groups promote better learning outcomes, they do indicate that students’ enjoyment and engagement is enhanced in more cohesive classes, and that their attitude to their own learning is more positive. Furthermore, creating good classroom dynamics promotes skills which are also highly rated for 21st century learning.

Item Type: Article
Heading title: Tanulmányok/ articles
Journal or Publication Title: EduLingua
Date: 2017
Volume: 3
Number: 1
ISSN: 2415-945X
Page Range: pp. 1-18
Language: English
Publisher: LoGoS Kutatócsoport Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Angoltanár-képző és Alkalmazott Nyelvészeti Tanszék
Place of Publication: Szeged
Related URLs: http://acta.bibl.u-szeged.hu/53843/
DOI: 10.14232/edulingua.2017.1.1
Uncontrolled Keywords: Oktatási módszer - csoportmunka - 21. sz.
Additional Information: Bibliogr.: p. 17-18. ; összefoglalás angol nyelven
Subjects: 05. Social sciences
05. Social sciences > 05.03. Educational sciences
Date Deposited: 2018. Apr. 13. 14:38
Last Modified: 2025. Jun. 20. 11:12
URI: http://acta.bibl.u-szeged.hu/id/eprint/53881

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