THE ROLE OF THINK PAIR SHARE AS ACOOPERATIVE LEARNING STRATEGYIN IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILL: The case of first year students of English at Biskra University

Abstract

Abstract Is has been well acknowledged that language is not only a set of letters and words gathered to form a meaning, rather it is regarded as a mean of communication that necessitates effective strategies. One of the skills that effective communication demands is speaking skill and in order to master such skill many learning strategies were suggested particularly for EFL learners namely think pair share strategy. The present study attempts to investigate the role of think pair share strategy in improving the learners’ speaking skill. Since the primary aim of learning, any foreign language is to use it in communicationamong EFL learners. The raised hypotheses in this study seeks to insure that using TPS strategy in classroom provides learners with a higher level of speaking production. A mixed- method research approach was adopted in this study .Accordingly, three data collection tools were conducted namely: a classroom observation that was implemented in oral expression sessions with thirty-six first year students of English using an observation grid. In addition, two instruments were used which are a questionnaire for students and teachers’ interview. The questionnaire was designed and directed to first year students of English language to gather students’ opinions and attitudes toward the use of TPS in oral expression sessions. Whereas, the teachers’ interview served to collect credible and valuable data about the use of this strategy from teachers’ perspective.the results revealed that the students are significantly engaged when using TPS more than when they work individually. In addition, the student found that TPS, as a teaching strategy, provides them with more chances to talk and interact. Hence, these findings validated our hypotheses.