Exploring Teachers’ and Students’ Attitude Towards Group Work Assignment in English Language Classroom: The Case of Grade 11 at Wolayta Sodo Preparatory Schools in Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the attitude of English teachers’ and students’ towards group work assignment in English language classroom. The study was conducted in Wolaita Sodo Preparatory School in the case of grade eleven. To attain this objective, Mixed Method Research Design was used. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods were used. The participants of the study were seven purposively selected English language teachers from grade eleven. In addition, one hundred forty four grade eleven students were randomly selected for the study. The required data for the study were collected using questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion. Accordingly, the findings of the study indicated that most of the teachers’ and students’ had negative attitude towards group work assignment in English language classroom. Therefore, they did not act according to their attitudes due to students’ lack of interest, students’ lack of motivation and students’ lack of awareness. The results of the study, hence, revealed that a few of teachers gave constructive feedback and grade for students in group work assignment. Based on the findings suitable recommendations were made.

Keywords: Group work, attitude, motivation, assignment, awareness