EFFECTIVENESS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES IN ENHANCING STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION DURING SPEAKING LESSONS: THE CASE OF SABIAN PREPARATORY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL IN DIRE DAWA

Abstract

This research focused on the effectiveness of cooperative learning techniques in enhancing students’ motivation during speaking lessons with special reference to Sabian Secondary and Preparatory School of Dire Dawa city administration. The main objective of the study was to asses , analyze and evaluate the students' speaking skills and to promote cooperative learning techniques. The target populations of the study were English language teachers who have been teaching and grade 10 students. Generally, a total of 81(10 teachers and 71 students) were selected as samples by using probability and non-probability sampling techniques. The data for the study were gathered relevant information from respondents, the researcher used questionnaire, classroom observation and focus group discussion. In the study both quantitative and qualitative method were used to analyze the data. The analyses of the data were made using descriptive statics and thematic categories. The findings of this study showed a huge number of students confessed that they faced difficulties to speak English in front of their classmates. This was also supported by the teachers’ responses. They confirmed that their students have below an average proficiency of using the target language. Besides, the study also showed that teachers’ encouragement is not satisfactory enough. Thus, since English teachers are the major actors for the successful implementation of the CL techniques in the classroom, they should regularly assign and assess individual roles when giving CL tasks and activities during speaking lessons. In general, by way of implementing cooperative learning techniques, the researcher believes that it will be possible to make English speaking classes more lively and students’ active participant in speaking activities.