The Effect of Cooperative Learning on High School Student English Reading Comprehension-the Case of Mu-Za Comprehensive High School

Abstract

The study was devoted to examine the effects of Cooperative Learning on high school student's English reading comprehension. Based on the purpose, a total of 40 students were selected as the sample of the study. Twenty students were assigned randomly as the experimental group while the other students were served as the control group. Cooperative Learning was used as the treatment of the study. The Jigsaw Cooperative Learning model was implemented to the experiment group in the English reading learning process. Traditional teaching method was used in the control group. The experimental group was randomly sub divided into 6 groups (3-4 members) by the researcher. In addition, Cooperative Learning tasks were assigned to the students according to the number they received. A 5 stages Jigsaw Cooperative Learning model was carried out in the process. At the first stage, preparation stage, student read the assigned part of the reading; second stage: expert groups stage--students experienced discussion, achieving the common view, summary and setting questions; third stage: teaching and learning stage--students took turns as teachers and students to develop their cooperative skills and social skills save for merely achieving reading comprehension; fourth stage: reflection and evaluation stage--through multiple evaluations (performance test, questionnaires. peer evaluation, teacher's observation etc....) and by comparing with controlled group, the researchers tried to exam the effect of using Cooperative Learning Approach as a Learning Strategy. The finding reveals that Cooperative Learning Approach is an effective strategy to improve Comprehensive High School students' English reading competence. According to the finding, suggestions are made to both secondary and post-secondary teachers to improve the transition of English teaching and learning between comprehensive high schools and Universities.