COLLABORATIVE LEARNING APPROACHES IN LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS

Аннотация

This study explores the effectiveness of collaborative learning approaches in secondary language classrooms. Recognizing the social nature of language acquisition, collaborative learning emphasizes student interaction through structured group activities such as think-pair-share, jigsaw reading, and project-based tasks. This research involved a quasi-experimental design with 60 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in Uzbekistan, divided into experimental and control groups. Over eight weeks, the experimental group participated in collaborative activities, while the control group received traditional instruction. Quantitative and qualitative data showed significant improvement in academic performance, particularly in speaking and reading comprehension, and revealed heightened student motivation and engagement. Despite challenges like unequal participation and assessment complexity, the findings support the integration of collaborative learning in language pedagogy. This paper recommends teacher training and further research on long-term impacts and technique refinement. Keywords: Collaborative learning, language education, student-centered instruction, EFL, group work, language acquisition, speaking skills, motivation.