Abstract

So far, cooperative learning has usually been acknowledged as one of the most common teaching methods and strategies around the world. In cooperative learning process, group members could obtain a healthy mental state, a positive interdependence with their partners, and also an expansion of their view. Only when every member in a group performs best for their roles could the whole group achieve the common goal efficiently and be successful. Student’s role division could be a significant factor which influences the effectiveness of cooperative learning. Thus, in this study, student’s role division would be the main factor to be observed in the English class. There are mainly two methods taken in this research, namely classroom observation and personal case study. This study is mainly conducted in the No.13 Middle School in Hangzhou, and it was carried out in Class 9, Grade 8. There are mainly two period of classroom observation. In the first period of classroom observation, all the groups in Class 9 would be the objects, and basing on their group work performances, two of the groups, which perform the best and the worst, would be selected as objects in the second period. In the second period, individual group member, the effectiveness of different group’ cooperative learning process and the interdependence relationship would be observed. And during the process of personal case study, role conflicts in group work would further investigated. And the interview with students would be recorded. At the end of this thesis, current situation of Current situation of role division-and the relationship between role division and role consciousness would be concluded. By analyzing the relationship among student’s role division, role consciousness and the product of cooperation, suggestions would be given accordingly to improve the effectiveness of cooperative learning.

Key words: role division; role consciousness; cooperative learning; efficiency