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c. Benefits of Cooperative Learning
Based on the characteristics of the cooperative learning approach, this approach gives benefits for the students especially in developing the students’
social skills. Mc Groarty 1989, cited in Kessler 1992: 2 writes six primary benefits of the cooperative learning approach. First, by using the cooperative
learning approach, the students will increase the frequency and variety of second language practice through different types of interaction. Second, cooperative
learning approach gives possibility for the students to develop or use the language in ways that can support their ability to think and increase their language skills.
Third, the students have opportunities to integrate the language with content- based instruction. Fourth, the cooperative learning approach gives opportunities
to include a greater variety of curricular materials to stimulate language as well as concept learning. Fifth, this approach gives freedom for the teacher to master new
professional skills especially in communication. Sixth, this approach can give the students opportunities to act as resources for each other and give more active role
in learning. Based on the benefits of the cooperative learning approach which are
presented before, the writer concludes that the cooperative learning approach gives advantages for the students, the teacher, and for the material developers.
The students have more opportunities to develop their language skill as well as their social skills by doing various interactions and being the source of the
information. The cooperative learning approach also gives the teacher chance to master new skills especially in facilitating the interaction and communication
between the students. This approach also gives benefit for the instructional PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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material developer since it provides variety of curricular materials to stimulate language as well as concept learning. However, cooperative learning approach is
not merely discussion groups or group works of students. Richards and Rodgers 2001: 201 state that in cooperative learning, the group activities should be
carefully planned to maximize students’ interaction and to facilitate students’ contributions to each other’s learning.
The writer also includes the discussion of constructivism since by applying group presentations technique, the students should not depend on the
teacher’s explanation. The students are required to be self-reliant learners. Thus, in the following discussion, the writer will present theory of constructivism.
4. Constructivism
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