FACTORS AFFECTING FIRST – YEAR STUDENTS’ ENGAGEMENT IN GROUP WORK IN SPEAKING CLASSES IN ENGLISH DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES, HUE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Group work plays an important role in improving the learning outcomes of learners of foreign languages. At University of Foreign Languages, Hue University, collaborative activities are widely used in various forms in the language classrooms. In order to improve the effectiveness of group activities, research on students' engagement in group work, especially for first-year students who are still unfamiliar with the university environment, is a necessity. Through data collected from first-year students’ opinions, we have analyzed and found out some factors influencing their engagement in group work. In addition, analyzing the data from questionnaires has also proved the positive correlation between these factors and students’ interest in group workGroup work plays an important role in improving the learning outcomes of learners of foreign languages. At University of Foreign Languages, Hue University, collaborative activities are widely used in various forms in the language classrooms. In order to improve the effectiveness of group activities, research on students' engagement in group work, especially for first-year students who are still unfamiliar with the university environment, is a necessity. Through data collected from first-year students’ opinions, we have analyzed and found out some factors influencing their engagement in group work. In addition, analyzing the data from questionnaires has also proved the positive correlation between these factors and students’ interest in group work