소집단 활동을 통한 학습자들의 상호작용이 말하기 활동에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This article aims mainly at researching how small-group work between learners can influence speaking activities. Small-group work is a learner-centered method which is based more on communication and interaction and which is supplementary to the disadvantages of the teacher-centered method. Small-group work offers the opportunity to learn the second language naturally through interaction between more than two people or in group work. In addition, it is well known as means of increasing a learner’s incentive to learn, decreasing stress, improving the study of other learners, and providing a class environment with a positive and motivating atmosphere. This article intends to determine how this type of small-group work effectively occurs in the class and how it can have positive effects not only on the learners themselves but also on other learners. It seeks to do this through experiments. To this end, this research focuses on the differences between learners, as reflected in individual and small-group activities. According to the research outcomes, small-group work was found to be more communicative than individual learning; furthermore, the learning effects were better than those noted for individuals. In particular, learners doing small-group work demonstrated more positive outcomes in terms of their vocabulary, information supply and collection, error correction, and active attitude. They triggered participation in others more and experienced a flexible rather than an uncomfortable atmosphere compared to those who experienced individual learning. As a result, this article concludes that interaction through small-group work effectively creates learners’ incentives for second language learning.