The Importance of Implementing Collaborative Learning in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Classroom in Malaysia

摘要

The collaborative learning method makes the students depend on each other in their pursuit of knowledge and makes the learning process more meaningful and interesting. When students are learning in a group, they will not feel alone and isolated from the rest. When students are working in groups, they will be a part of a community whereby everyone will lend support to one another. This will provide the academic and social support in learning that students need. When students of different performance levels co-operate with each other in working towards achieving a desired goal, the students are not merely accountable for their own learning process but are also responsible for their peers' learning process as well. In other words, success will breed more success. The learning experience can be further enriched when the teaching method which is used takes into account the interests and motivation of the learners. Student motivation will be heightened as a result of collaborative learning. This is because the students will feel in charge and empowered in terms of their own learning process. This paper will discuss the present teaching and learning experiences in the Malaysian ESL classroom, the recommended model of the collaborative learning method that can be applied in the Malaysian ESL classroom, the significance of the collaborative learning method and its limitations.