Mastering Simple Past Tense Thru Utilizing Cooperative Approach

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Learning a different language such as English is quite difficult for some countries because they feel uncomfortable in using the language. Filipinos are privileged to have the English language as part of the school curriculum. Yet, through the years the students' knowledge in correct grammar seems to deteriorate. While some say that correct grammar is not that important as long as people can understand what they mean in a conversation, still we cannot leave the fact that the knowledge of using the correct tense of the verbs, consequently affecting the agreement of the subject and the verb which is essential in both spoken and written language matters. In one aspect it is gleaned that the students were having a hard time identifying the verbs and the use of the past tense in the simple aspect once that it is used in the sentence. Thus there is a need to arrest this problem and that is the reason why this study is conducted.

METHODS

This study is a descriptive research utilizing a quantitative approach to gather data. Specifically the researcher used the cooperative approach to teach the past tense of the verb in the simple aspect to the learners. In this method the students experienced team teaching wherein they were grouped and each group member helped one another to answer the given task. The data gathered was the total number of participants who reached the mastery level in the given assessment test at the end of the lesson. The respondents were the Grade 8 students.

RESULTS

Based on the findings, group work and activities can draw out varied talents and varied viewpoints. It can promote better learning and good camaraderie among the learners. It was also observed that the learners gain confidence in answering the task knowing that they have their group mates to help them.

DISCUSSIONS

The cooperative learning approach can be a useful strategy to help the learners identify the past form of the verb and understand its use in the sentence. However, there must be a close monitoring on the part of the teacher to see to it that everyone in the group participates in the activities.