Teacher and students’ factors affecting students’ participation in pair work and group work – A case study at Luong Van Tuy Gifted High School in Ninhbinh = Yếu tố giáo viên và học sinh ảnh hưởng đến việc tham gia hoạt động nhóm, cặp của học sinh chuyên Anh - Một nghiên cứu cá biệt tại trường THPT Chuyên Lương Văn Tuỵ Ninh Bình .M.A Thesis Linguistics: 60 14 10

Abstract

This thesis was carried out to investigate the application of pair work and group work in speaking class, the human factors affecting students’ participation in pairs, in groups and some feasible solutions to improve students’ participation in pair work and in group work, as recommended by the teachers and students at Luong Van Tuy Gifted High School in Ninh Binh. Survey questionnaires for teachers and students, class observation and interviews were employed to answer the research questions. The findings of the research revealed that pair work and group work were often implemented in English speaking classes, especially in English major classes. Both students and teachers there were well aware of the importance of pair work and group work. That why, when being asked to work in groups and in pairs, some English major students showed the enthusiasm and eagerness during the activities. However, there were some students who seemed to hesitate and not to be ready to work, especially the weaker ones who did only a little because of several factors including human factors, classroom factors and culture obstacles. The lack of experience in organizing pair work and group work, the lack of time for preparation, habits of old teaching methods and the uneven allocation of turn were considered the main factors came from teacher that affected the students’ participation in pairs and in groups. The students’ passive learning habits, the fear of making mistakes, the un – cooperation of partners and the overuse of mother tongue were drawn to be the main factors came from students that had negatively affected to their participation in pairs and in groups. In order to make pair work and group work more successful, some practical recommendations for students and teachers were proposed, too. It is hoped that this thesis will contribute to make pair work and group work activities more successful in speaking class at Luong Van Tuy Gifted High School in particular and at gifted high schools in general.