Investigating Chinese HE EFL Classrooms

The volume makes an important contribution to our understanding, particularly of how predominantly a western construct is received in the Chinese learning context. It brings new sociocultural perspectives to bear on aspects of innovation in language teaching by pursuing a comprehensive and in-depth approach to the application and utility of collaborative learning in two Chinese HE EFL classrooms. No previous background knowledge is required, and the book will be of interest to language teachers, student teachers and researchers in applied linguistics and TESOL. The scope ranges from a general understanding of collaborative learning to specific discussions, and brings together a variety of debates ranging from theory to practice. In light of the narrowness of some previous research, the empirical part of the monograph employs mixed methods and offers a holistic view of how collaborative learning impacts student learning from social, learning and motivational perspectives. It touches on issues of students’ interactional behaviors in collaborative learning and changes in their learning preferences, motivation and attitudes. The book also examines aspects not found in most other texts