ELTWeekly Issue#19, Research paper: A Comparative Analysis of Pair-Work and Individual Assignments in Two ELT Grammar Classes

A Comparative Analysis of Pair-Work and Individual Assignments in Two ELT Grammar Classes

By Sert, Olcay

Descriptors: Comparative AnalysisSecond Language LearningGrammarAssignmentsLanguage TeachersEnglish (Second Language)Second Language InstructionGrouping (Instructional Purposes)

Publication date: 2005-10-00

Pages: 18

Abstract: Assignments prepared in pair-work have long been evaluated to be more successful when compared to individually prepared assignments in many respects in foreign language learning contexts. However, there is not much research conducted to reveal the advantages of pair-work in preparing assignments and the linguistic characteristics of the finished texts. In this paper, depending upon an experimental study with the first year students in Department of English Language Teaching at Hacettepe University, quality of pair-work assignments and the factors affecting the preparation process are discussed and compared to individual assignments. Results indicate a variety of advantages of student collaboration in preparing written work since outputs are far more grammatical, include less spelling mistakes, and indicate a higher level of grammatical awareness. Additionally, pair-work helps students build positive interpersonal relationships and create a high level of academic solidarity and confidence.

(Contains 7 tables and 2 diagrams.)

[Abstract and keywords are presented in both English and Turkish. This article is a revised version of the article entitled “Comparative Analysis of Pair-Work and Individual Assignments in Two ELT Classes” published in the Journal of Language and Learning.]

Download the full paper in pdf format by visiting http://www.eric.ed.gov