THE EFFECT OF TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES ON THE USE OF COOPERATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING IN EFL CLASSES

Abstract

This research is a study of the effect of EFL teachers' perceptions and attitudes on the use of cooperative and collaborative learning. This is an exploration of how EFL teachers perceive & view the idea of cooperative and collaborative learning. The participants of this study were 10 EFL teachers from Ali Lounici University. A mixed-method approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from the participants. Questionnaires and classroom observations were the main methods used to elicit teachers' perceptions and attitudes towards the two strategies. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics shown in percentages. The findings of this study revealed that some EFL teachers in Ali Lounici University consider cooperative and collaborative learning different while others see these two strategies similar; which will in both cases influence their use of these practices. Results also showed that most of the participants hold positive perceptions on the effectiveness of both cooperative and collaborative learning, yet they do not utilize them because of their negative perceptions on the difficulties that they may encounter when using them. On the basis of these results, a set of pedagogical implications and limitations to the study have been stated in addition to some proposed recommendations.