Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions and implementation of cooperative learning in English speaking lessons. Descriptive design is employed in this study because it is more appropriate and suitable to collect adequate information from various participants. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were em-ployed. The study was conducted in Burka Wayu primary school. Burka Wayu primary school is found in Woreda ‘13’ Nifas Silk Lafto Sub-City. In the Woreda, there are seven primary schools. The researcher selected Burka Wayu primary school purposively. The participants of the study were grade 8 English language teachers and students. The total participants of the study were 4 English language teachers and 152 students. On the other hand, the researcher took all grade eight English language teachers. However, he took sample of the students by using simple random sampling techniques. Classroom observa-tion, interview and questionnaire were used to gather data. Data gathered through ob-servation and questionnaire was analyzed quantitatively and data gathered through in-terview was analyzed qualitatively Classroom observation checklist, semi-structured in-terview and questionnaire were used to collect data. The findings of the study revealed that teachers’ perception towards cooperative learning in English speaking lesson was positive. However, they did not implement cooperative learning in English speaking lessons because different factors such as teachers’ lack of training how to implement the method, lack of instructional materials, lack of enough facility in the school, lack of teachers to carry out their responsibility during the lesson and teachers familiarizing with traditional/teacher-centered teaching method were the major factors. Finally, based on these findings, the study recommended that training should be given to English language teachers concerning the implementation of CL in English speaking lessons; English teachers should carry out their responsibility to implement CL in English speaking lesson as well.
