Implementing cooperative learning to enhance oral communication skills in English for tourism program: a case study of Thai students

Abstract

This research aimed to compare the oral communication skill of the students before and after using the Cooperative Learning approach, to investigate the students’ attitudes toward this approach, and to determine how they work in the group. The target group was a class of 26 tourism students who study English for tourism at a private university in south of Thailand. There were two types of research instruments. The first type used was the treatment instrument, which consisted of 5 lesson plans, using Cooperative Learning approach. The second type used for collecting data was pretest and posttest, questionnaire, and semi-interview in order to answer three research questions. The data were analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, and percentage. The results showed that the students were developed after using this method and most of them provided positive attitudes toward Cooperative learning approach.