Define 'cooperative learning' in the TESOL context.

In the TESOL context, cooperative learning refers to an instructional strategy where students collaborate and work together to enhance their language skills and achieve shared objectives. This approach emphasizes interpersonal interactions, allowing learners to engage with each other, share knowledge, and support one another in their language acquisition process. The collaborative environment fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a sense of community among learners, which are integral to language learning journeys.

Cooperative learning contrasts with approaches that promote isolation, lack of interaction, or competition among students, which can inhibit language practice and peer support. By prioritizing collaboration, cooperative learning creates a dynamic classroom environment that encourages communication, active participation, and the sharing of diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and retention of language concepts.