Turkish EFL learners’ appraisal of group work in speaking: Self and peer reflections

This research was conducted to investigate EFL learners’ views related to group work and learner behaviors in group works in speaking. To address these issues, data collection was carried out in preparatory classes through a questionnaire constructed for this study. Participants of the study were 52 students learning English in a preparatory school at a state university in Turkey. In data analysis, statistical analysis was used for the questionnaire data using SPSS 20. Findings of the study indicate that students attributed positive aspects to themselves such as respectful, sharing, and participating in group activities in speaking. Data also revealed that students who evaluated the other members of the group had the opinion that other group members also had positive aspects in group work although some regarded their peers as ineffective and disruptive. Additionally, it is concluded that group work activities contribute positively to learners’ speaking skill in English as well as creating a small and a sharing speaking community by increasing student motivation.