Using Cooperative Learning Method for Literature Education in a Malaysian Secondary School

Abstract

This research investigated the effectiveness of the cooperative learning method in supporting students' comprehension, appreciation, and interpretation of literature with a specific focus on poetry. Cooperative learning is a pedagogical practice that promotes socialization and learning among students of different second language abilities and backgrounds. The study was conducted at a public secondary school in Sabah and involved 36 Form Two students. Data was gathered through pretests, posttests, and a questionnaire. The collected data were then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 12.0. The results demonstrated that the cooperative learning method significantly aids and enhances students' understanding, appreciation, and grasp of poetry. This is evident from the considerable increase in the mean score from 24.47 during the pretest to 45.42 during the posttest. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature on cooperative learning and literature teaching, as well as provide practical implications for teachers, curriculum developers, and policy makers. The study may also suggest directions for future research on the integration of cooperative learning and poetry in the Malaysian secondary school context.