Cooperative+Learning

=**Cooperative Learning**=

What is Cooperative Leaning? - This strategy is to help provide positive social interaction with other classmates by breaking the class into small groups - Create "Safe environments" for EVERY student (including ELLs) - Students will learn from each other's efforts - Complete tasks collectively (as a group)

Why is //Cooperative Learning// helpful for ELLs? - Everyone is scared of talking in front of the whole class. By breaking the class into smaller groups, ELL students will feel safe and be able to talk more. - Easier for the ELL students to ask more questions (either to their peers or instructor). - ELLs will find it more personal and easier to make connections with their own peer rather than the instructor. - It is simply more enjoyable than traditional lecture classes

Things to be careful... - Wrong information can spread quickly. Therefore, it is important for the instructor to provide accurate information & assess. - Teachers need to walk around the classroom and make sure every group is "on task." - Keep the group small (preferably 4) and make sure everyone is getting the same amount of work