The Impact of Kagan’s Cooperative Learning Structure (KCLS) on Grade 9 Students towards English Language Learning

Abstract

English subject has become very important in the context of Bhutanese education system. Owing to its importance in the era of modernization, the education ministry of Bhutan is providing professional development program in a form of training and workshops for all the English teachers to grow oneself professionally. Therefore the purposes of this study were to examine the learning achievement and investigate opinions of grade 9 Bhutanese students towards English subject by incorporating Kagans Cooperative Learning Structure (KCLS). The study was an experimental research and consisted of two groups pre-test post-test design at Kamji Central School under Chhuka district, Bhutan. A cluster random sampling was used to select two sections out of three sections with 38 students each in the experimental and the control groups. The quantitative data was analyzed using a pre-test and post-test scores while students’ reflective journal was analyzed using a coding system.The findings of the study showed a remarkable difference in the post-test scores. The mean scores of the control group and of the experimental group were 9.5 and 11.5 respectively. In addition,the student’s reflective journals revealed that the Kagans Cooperative Learning structure (KCLS) was interesting, provided with equal opportunities,enhanced active participation, and the brain breaks and cheers helped them keep themselves alert and boost retention level of learning.