The Effect of Collaborative Learning for EFL College Writers in Taiwan

Abstract

This study aimed at achieving three goals: 1) reinforcing student’s problem solving
skills by helping them to research specific subjects; 2) improving writing competency and
strengthening individual responsibility; 3) making the writing task serves a practical and
genuine purpose. Twenty English major students were divided into four groups to complete
the writing tasks. In the findings, all students agreed that they could share their opinions
with one another and learn the skills of negotiation in the process of collaborative writing.
Because the writing topics were related to events that occurred on campus and in their
everyday lives, it indicated that they could develop their writing competency creatively and
authentically. While conducting the project, the participants often discussed their project
through the use of Instant Messenger. This implies that the Internet also can play a
supplementary role to help students achieve the goal of collaborative learning successfully.