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without changing its original meaning. For example, if the speakers do not know the word broom, they can talk about something for sweeping the floor.
In addition, Lloyd in Westwoods 2008: 45-46 tells about the most effective approaches for reducing student failure rates. The first is structured. It is
related to a great deal of teacher direction in the initial stages of learning. The second is objective oriented. It means that the students understand about what is to
be achieved. The third is emphasizing on practice. It means that new information and skills are repeated and applied many times to ensure acquisition and
maintenance. The fourth is independence oriented. It means that the learners are expected to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them later to work
independently. In summary, there are some solutions that are offered to solve the common
problems in learning speaking. When the students have difficulty in speaking, the teacher is demanded to introduce them with the other ways to make speaking
easier and to give the students more confidence.
4. Cooperative Learning
a. Definition of Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning is commonly used by the teachers in foreign language contexts. It is usually defined as one methodology in language teaching
that put students in groups and give them something to do. However, some experts have their own definition about cooperative learning.
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According to Larsen-Freeman 2000: 164, cooperative learning essentially involves students learning from each other in groups. It is the way that
students and teachers work together that is important. Besides, in cooperative learning, teachers teach students social skills so that they can work together more
effectively. Furthermore, Olsen and Kagan in Richards and Rodgers 2001: 192 define cooperative learning as group learning activity organized so that learning is
dependent on the socially structured exchange of information between learners in groups and in which each learner is responsible for his or her own learning and is
motivated to increase the learning of others. From the statements above, it means that cooperative learning is a learning
strategy which covers both individual and small group learning. In its process, the learning activities are design to improve students’ cooperation and
interdependence in comprehending the materials. Moreover, students are trained to learn actively because they should get involved in the learning activities and
share their thoughts to their group. This learning strategy emphasizes the role of individual participation to determine the group achievement in the learning
process. In accordance with Larsen-Freeman, Slavin 1995: 2 states cooperative
learning refers to a variety of teaching methods in which students work in small groups to help one another learn academic content. Furthermore, cooperative
learning is learning based on small group approach to teaching that holds students accountable for both individual and group achievement Orlich, Harder, Callahan,
and Brown, 2007: 273. In cooperative learning, the students are expected to
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discuss and help each other, to assess each others’ current knowledge and fill in
gaps of missing information to achieve understanding.
In addition, Brown 2001: 47 states that cooperative learning is one strategy that involves students to work together in pairs and groups, they share
information and come to help each other. The student in groups are team whose player must work together in order to achieve objectives successfully.
Cooperative learning in this context is possible to raise the achievement of all students in the learning activities. It can also promote intrinsic motivation,
heighten self-esteem, create caring and altruistic relationships and lower anxiety and prejudice. It also helps teachers build positive relationship among students.
This positive relation can be one of the intrinsic motivations. In addition, it helps teachers to give students experiences they need for social, psychological, and
cognitive development.
It can be concluded that cooperative learning is a kind of teaching strategy to develop cooperation among the students in understanding the lesson. It helps
teachers create a learning environment that involves students’ individual and group achievement. Moreover, cooperative learning increases the students’
motivation to talk, provides the students with relaxing atmosphere, and stimulates
more negotiation of meaning.
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b. Characteristics of Cooperative Learning
