This evaluation of research investigates the advantageous and disadvantageous aspects of utilizing cooperative learning into the ESL (English as a second language) classroom for pupils at an elementary education level. Teachers need to be contemporary with their pedagogy and lesson design and implement methods that can enable that the national criteria regarding knowledge requirements in the syllabus for English are met. The methods within cooperative learning corresponds with sociocultural theories of Vygotsky as it is based on the zone of proximal development where high achievers can develop accordingly to their own qualifications, as well as low achievers. In the current study, we examine a selection of empirical studies on cooperative learning. The results of this analysis reveal that Cooperative learning is an advantageous way of reaching every individual to make sure that their English language acquisition is nurtured, but that the aspects of group grading make it difficult when grading each individual pupil. The findings also revealed that the implementation of cooperative learning into the ESL classroom had advantageous outcomes when it comes to vocabulary learning, writing skills, speaking skills and a lot of the pupils gained a better confidence and had a high achievement level in comparison to more traditional teacher focused pedagogy. Pupils also showed that their motivation and attitudes changed over time, when exposed of the cooperative learning methods in the ESL classroom. It is advised that teachers utilize cooperative learning in the ESL classroom hence it is beneficial for both pupils and teachers. Keywords: Cooperative learning, English as a second language, English as a foreign language, elementary school, group grading, ESL classroom and EFL classroom.

This thesis is a literature review on literature reading in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and the English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom, of mainly upper secondary schools. The underlying objective for this work is that meaningful reading experiences can have a positive impact on a developing young individual on his or her way into adulthood. The aim of this thesis is to explore what theories and methods are used when trying to create prerequisites for meaningful reading experiences, and how these experiences actually are realized. Qualitative methods are mainly used, except for a small section of the methodology of finding the sources, which is quantitative in nature. Since very little previous research has been done in the field, the six sources used in this review are internationally spread over five continents. They are mainly analyzed from a theoretical background of reader response and critical literacy perspectives. The main findings show that a number of theoretical approaches and methodologies can be useful in creating meaningful reading experiences. What may have proven most effective was addressing actual problems in the students’ everyday lives through applied critical literacy.

The Swedish curriculums point out that language is crucial to social interactions, learning and individual development as well as essential to uphold a democratic and multicultural country. However, a recent report from the Swedish National Agency for Education depicts the language introduction programs for immigrant adolescents in Sweden as a school form in great need of development (Skolverket, 2016a). This systematic literature review, which draws on sociocultural theory, contributes to the field of how to teach English to newly arrived adolescents in Sweden. The main findings, gathered from six studies from around the world, suggest several different areas for improvement concerning EFL teaching. A specific pedagogy for EFL learners is suggested as well as targeted professional development for EFL teachers. Additionally, the results point out challenges faced by EFL teachers in multilingual classrooms. Further research could investigate how EFL teachers deal with these challenges. Furthermore, further research could investigate EFL textbooks for multilingual students at upper secondary school in terms of language, culture, identity texts and difficulty level.

This empirical degree project explores the use of Swedish in foreign language learning such as English and the subsequent consequences. For this study, we explored the positions of researchers regarding the topic and investigated how, when and why three teachers in Sweden used the Swedish language during English teaching. The study provides an overview of theories and literature regarding the use of first language during foreign language teaching. Some findings suggest that the first language should not be excluded in second language acquisition but incorporated with limited use. However, it could be problematic to incorporate the Swedish language for the students with different origins. In that scenario, the students would be forced to acquire a foreign language through their second or third language. The study also connects these findings and research to the theoretical background of the socio-cultural views in the classrooms and the zone of proximal development. The method used for this study was a qualitative data collection in the form of semi-structured interviews with three primary teachers. The results show that these teachers reported using the Swedish language with variations thus the common reason for usage of Swedish during English learning would be for instructing purposes. Moreover, research suggests that maximising the target language during foreign language learning would expose the students to utilize the target language and that if the teacher would overuse Swedish during foreign language teaching the students would not sense the need to practise the language. The study also investigates when and how the teachers believe their students are exposed to the English language. The participants agreed upon that the exposure of the English language occurs on daily basis for the students moreover, participants would also agree that most of the exposure would be extramural. Our major conclusion is that incorporating the Swedish language in English learning should be considered with care. Some research suggests that the first language may provide enough scaffolding for the students however, the teachers may find several variations of providing the scaffolding for the students without the incorporation of the Swedish language.

AbstractThis empirical research thesis examines the role group work impacts towards the traditional practices in the classroom when developing language skills, and encouraging children to communicate inside the Swedish ESL classroom. For this study we examined the theoretical standings of the socio-cultural views in the classrooms and what the group researchers say about the practice of working inside the classroom through group work. We did this through a method called qualitative analysis where we sent out questionnaires to our target group, and then from these results had a written interview with a Swedish teacher working in an ESL classroom. Since the Swedish curriculum (2011) does not bring up any forms of how to work with language development only explains that it should be learned through interaction we choose to examine how teachers work in the ESL classroom with group work. In the discussion part of this paper we will present our findings from a social learning point of view and present our findings in accordance with Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theories.

The aim of this empirical study is to investigate the role of the L1 (Swedish for the purpose of this study) at upper secondary schools in Sweden, in English class. It also examines teachers’ and students’ attitudes towards the use of the L1 in the ESL classroom. The method that has been used for this thesis is a qualitative research method. In order to collect data, structured open-ended interviews were conducted. A total of eleven upper secondary students from the same school, and six upper secondary ESL teachers from four different schools, participated in this study. The results show that almost all of the participating students and teachers think that the L1 should be allowed in the classroom, as it can be used as a resource for learning. For instance, as the results demonstrate, the L1 was mainly used as a tool to clarify instructions, explain difficult terms, explain vocabulary and grammar rules, when translating, to manage discipline, and when they are socializing with each other. The majority of the participants suggest that the L1 worked as a very helpful tool in the learning process, especially in situations where students lacked understanding. However, there were also critical responses towards the use of the L1, particularly since the L1 can be easily overused. Previous research shares these latter views regarding the use of the L1 in the classroom, and confirms that it is important that learners are exposed to as much English as possible for successful language learning and development.

This literature review explores the use of Extramural English in the classroom and its effects on students’ language acquisition. Through a systematic analysis of different studies on EE activities such as video games, the Internet, gaming, and other activities, this paper will investigate the possible positive or negative effects of EE activities on students’ performance. The results of this literature review show that students who are more exposed to EE activities have a better result with regard to the acquisition of English than their peers because the language of communication in Extramural activities is mainly English.  The results also show that by incorporating EE in the classroom, teachers will be able to define the student’s strengths and weaknesses through eliciting the learning evidence when learning English as a second language.

The recent release of AI tools for public use allows for the development of novel teaching approaches for goals that often present challenges in the classroom, such as the need for personalized learning materials. The current study enlists a four-week ChatGPT-based personalized learning intervention in tandem with a teacher questionnaire and interviews in two upper-secondary schools in Southern Sweden to investigate English teacher perceptions of the benefits and challenges of using AI for personalized language learning. In addition, the intervention investigates the potential effectiveness of personalized learning assignments using ChatGPT on the development of students’ grammar abilities in a specific, local classroom context to both address a local need at the school in question and to serve as a proof of concept for more broad-based, future research on the use of these tools for this purpose. The questionnaire revealed that teachers initially had some concerns regarding the accuracy, reliability, and practical implementation of such tools. However, the intervention was found to significantly reduce grammar errors in student writing, and in follow-up interviews, teachers reported feeling more receptive to such approaches after interacting with the tools and seeing the beneficial results. These findings demonstrate that teachers may be hesitant to implement AI tools, which underscores the importance of training and first-hand use for promoting their successful adoption into pedagogical practices. In addition, the findings suggest that AI-based tools for personalized language learning may also be successful in a broader educational context. Finally, certain limitations, such as the small sample size, are acknowledged which emphasizes that further research is necessary to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of personalized learning using AI-based tools like ChatGPT.