Developing Collaborative Academic Writing Skills in English in Call Classroom

Abstract

The modern system of foreign language teaching impacts a qualitative change in the new methodological approaches with using innovative technologies in the educational process. Spencer Kagan created Cooperative learning structures that make collaborative learning easy to use. It provides students with valuable and ample opportunities to combine language resources and collaboratively build knowledge and writing through interaction. Cooperative learning methods do not require a detailed study of plans, educational materials, and special training. Hence the article depicts University students' implementation of collaborative academic writing skills in a Computer-assisted Language Learning environment. Collaborative writing is interpreted as an action in which students communicate, consult, and make collective decisions during the writing process through computer and create a unique text with shared accountability and co-ownership. In this paper, the crucial types of academic writings are highlighted, and experimental teaching results have proved Kagan's collaborative model as a useful technique for improving students' academic writing skills.