Creating and implementing collaborative learning activities in English as a foreign language classroom in upper secondary school

Abstract

This MA thesis focuses on the implementation of collaborative learning activities in English as a foreign language lesson. The aim of the MA thesis was to create and carry out collaborative learning activities in English lessons, to see how collaborative learning affects students’ engagement, and to find out what the possible challenges that may come up while carrying out the activities are. The first part of this thesis provides an overview of the elements, the importance, and the possible challenges of collaborative learning. The second part focuses on the implemented collaborative learning activities in which students participated. The activities created for the study accompany two student’s books: the Upstream upper intermediate (B2+) and advanced (C1) language level books. 13 form 11 and 12 form 12 students participated in this study, and the activities were carried out in English lessons over a period of one month. The results of this study show that the students preferred to work with the students they were already more comfortable with. The results also show that the students liked being engaged in meaningful discussions. Key words: collaborative learning, English as a foreign language