{"id":6542,"date":"2014-05-03T20:09:54","date_gmt":"2014-05-03T20:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eltchat.org\/wordpress\/?p=6542"},"modified":"2014-05-03T20:09:54","modified_gmt":"2014-05-03T20:09:54","slug":"group-cohesion-in-the-elt-class-eltchat-summary-30042014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/2014\/05\/03\/group-cohesion-in-the-elt-class-eltchat-summary-30042014\/","title":{"rendered":"Group Cohesion in the ELT class – #ELTchat Summary 30\/04\/2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

The full title of this chat was “How important is group cohesion in the ELT class? How can we best achieve it?\u201d\u00a0<\/strong> and was first posted by Mary Sousa –\u00a0@mary28sou – oner blog here<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Rainbow\"<\/a>
\n\"Creative<\/a> Photo Credit: jakerome<\/a> via Compfight<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n

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Summary<\/h2>\n

As one participant expressed it: “Interesting topic…but BIG.\u201d The 21 participants in this evening chat bravely dealt with numerous aspects of group cohesion in the ELT class.<\/p>\n

The chat participants’ comments are divided into two topics: theoretical and practical.<\/p>\n

Theoretically speaking…<\/h2>\n

Cohesive groups learn more (according to Wikipedia, this is supported by research)
\nCooperative learning – an instructional approach which promotes cohesion
\nBuilding a sense of community and trust in the learners, a sense of building something together
\nCohesion with adults, and with younger students
\nGroup decision making, roles in groups, leadership, negotiating
\nShared responsibilities, group roles and tasks
\nDynamics of scapegoating in small groups
\nFeedback in a cohesive group is positive, constructive \u2013 not painful or demeaning
\n\u201cA mistake is a gift to the class\u201d<\/p>\n

Cultural aspects<\/h3>\n

In the business world, team building is the concept…mostly the same as cohesion.
\nBusiness English students may be dour \u2013 can they be shaken? But some business groups are a blast \u2013 depends on the business people<\/p>\n

Practically speaking…<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Extremely mixed levels, company hierarchy, mix of students’ ages, large university classes
\nDo learners actually want a sense of community? Sometimes they like to be individual.
\nIs it good to detect the ‘leader’ of a group and build a relationship?<\/p>\n