Enhancing Young Learners’ Peer Collaboration: Pedagogical Ideas for Language Teachers

Abstract

An increasing body of research has explored patterns of interaction and peer support among young learners. Although some studies suggest that young learners can engage in collaboration when interacting on tasks, other studies indicate the opposite. Moreover, despite the claims that peer collaboration is conducive to learning, studies have not paid enough attention to the “how” to enhance peer collaboration on tasks. This article proposes that enhancing peer collaboration is a powerful pedagogical tool that promotes communication among peers and mutual support, thus positively affecting learners' performance during classroom work. At the heart of the article, it discusses some practical pedagogical ideas for teachers which focus on teaching collaborative principles and strategies during classroom work. Although it pays particular attention to the context of primary school English foreign language teaching, its content may also be relevant to primary school teachers of other foreign and second languages.