pág. 5625
COOPERATIVE LEARNING ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF READING
COMPREHENSION SKILLS

EL APRENDIZAJE COOPERATIVO EN EL DESARROLLO DE LA

CAPACIDAD DE COMPRENSIÓN LECTORA

Mayra Auxiliadora Moreira Acosta

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Luis Miguel Romero Zambrano

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Daniela Marisol Nevárez Rosado

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Evelyn Tatiana Loor Bailón

Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador

María Maricela Nevárez Zambrano

Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador
pág. 5626
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v9i1.16242
Cooperative learning on the development of reading comprehension skills

Mayra Auxiliadora Moreira Acosta
1
mayra.moreira@pg.uleam.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7604-8606

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí.

Ecuador

Luis Miguel Romero Zambrano

luis.romero@pg.uleam.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8647-1211

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí.

Ecuador

Daniela Marisol Nevárez Rosado

daninevarez@live.com

https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2084-240X

Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Ecuador

Evelyn Tatiana Loor Bailón

evelyn.loor@pg.uleam.edu.ec

https://orcid.org/0009
-0008-0300-031X
Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí

Ecuador

María Maricela Nevárez Zambrano

mamaneza20@hotmail.com

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1152-7834

Universidad Laica “Eloy Alfaro de Manabí”

Ecuador

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of cooperative learning on the development of

reading comprehension skills in English students aged 15
-16 years old from a public school in the urban
area of the city of Chone, Ecuador. Due to the
size of the population, the first year of secondary school
parallel 'G' was selected as the study sample for convenience. In this context, a documentary review of other

research was conducted to identify the need for the implementation of cooperative learn
ing activities that
enhance reading comprehension in English. The research process was developed using an exploratory

approach with a qualitative methodology, which enabled the analysis of the contributions of cooperative

learning activities to the reading
comprehension of texts in English through the application of classroom
observation techniques and interviews with English teachers at the institution mentioned. The data analysis

revealed that cooperative learning has a significant impact on the developme
nt of reading comprehension
skills in the target age group. This is because it fosters active participation, critical thinking and improves

linguistic competence. Furthermore, the
cooperative learning environment positively influences students'
attitudes towards learning English, leading to increased motivation and confidence in their language skills.

These results demonstrate the importance of applying cooperative learning methodol
ogies to facilitate
English language acquisition and comprehension in adol
escent students.
Keywords:
cooperative learning, reading comprehension, motivation, learning strategies, public education
1
Autor principal
Correspondencia:
mayra.moreira@pg.uleam.edu.ec
pág. 5627
El aprendizaje cooperativo en el desarrollo de la capacidad de comprensión
lectora

RESUMEN

El propósito de esta investigación es determinar la influencia del aprendizaje cooperativo en el desarrollo
de las habilidades de comprensión lectora en estudiantes de inglés de 15 a 16 años de una escuela pública
en la zona urbana de la ciudad de Chone, Ecuador. Debido al tamaño de la población, se seleccionó como
muestra de estudio, por conveniencia, a los estudiantes de primer año de secundaria del paralelo 'G'. En este
contexto, se realizó una revisión documental de otras investigaciones para identificar la necesidad de
implementar actividades de aprendizaje cooperativo que fortalezcan la comprensión lectora en inglés. El
proceso de investigación se llevó a cabo con un enfoque exploratorio y una metodología cualitativa, lo que
permitió analizar las contribuciones del aprendizaje cooperativo a la comprensión lectora de textos en inglés
mediante la aplicación de técnicas de observación en el aula y entrevistas con docentes de inglés de la
institución mencionada. El análisis de los datos reveló que el aprendizaje cooperativo tiene un impacto
significativo en el desarrollo de las habilidades de comprensión lectora en el grupo etario objetivo, ya que
fomenta la participación activa, el pensamiento crítico y mejora la competencia lingüística. Además, el
entorno de aprendizaje cooperativo influye positivamente en la actitud de los estudiantes hacia el
aprendizaje del inglés, aumentando su motivación y confianza en sus habilidades lingüísticas. Estos
resultados evidencian la importancia de aplicar metodologías de aprendizaje cooperativo para facilitar la
adquisición y comprensión del idioma inglés en adolescentes.

Palabras clave: aprendizaje cooperativo, comprensión lectora, motivación, estrategias de aprendizaje,
educación pública

Artículo recibido 09 enero 2025

Aceptado para publicación: 13 febrero 2025
pág. 5628
INTRODUCTION

The English language today has an advantageous position in the global linguistic landscape. However, there

are significant challenges in learning it as a foreign language. Students often fail to reach the minimum

standards required to communicate especiall
y in the reading comprehension skills. This situation leads us
to conclude that the development of linguistic skills in this language is severely limited
.
The
focus of this research study is to determine the impact of cooperative learning strategies on the
development of reading comprehension in English among students between the ages of 15 and 16 from a

public school in the urban area of the city of Chone who presen
t difficulties in the interpretation of texts in
English and deficiencies in this linguistic skill. This issue can be attributed to the fact that the majority of

students do not engage in reading activities during the learning process. This defici
ency impedes their
ability to communicate effectively in English, as reading comprehension is one of the most challenging

skills to master in the language. It is therefore necessary to implement new forms of teaching, such as

cooperative learning in the cl
assroom, which, in addition to being a didactic tool, allows interaction between
classmates and improves the acquisition of new knowledge by strengthening reading comprehension within

the context that surrounds them. Furthermore, this study aims to identi
fy the benefits of using this method
as a teaching
-learning process in the development of reading comprehension skills in English and to provide
a motivating reference for maintaining students' interest in acquiring improvements in other English

language s
kills. On the other hand, cooperative learning allows the teacher to achieve several objectives
simultaneously (Johnson, Johnson and Holubec, 1999, p. 9).
Cooperative learning is based on the principle
that learners construct knowledge through social inte
raction and dialogue. Moreover, cooperative learning
strategies are an effective model for developing students' reading comprehension skills (Tran, 2019). Two

other things need to be added to this type of cooperation: deep critical thinking and a greater s
pirit of
solidarity. Reading comprehension is the ability to understand and make sense of a text. It involves the

integration of several cognitive processes, such as decoding, vocabulary knowledge and prior knowledge

(Jalilifar,2021). In the classroom, rea
ding is often done intensively to obtain general and specific
information; however, students sometimes have difficulties in comprehending the inferred meaning of the

text. The inability to retrieve meaning puzzles learners (Jalilifar,2021).
pág. 5629
The process of written communication is complex, involving the encoding of a message by the writer for

transmission to the reader and the subsequent decoding of this information by the reader upon reading it.

(Gómez Palomino, 2011) Decoding is defined as t
he capacity to identify and correctly label the linguistic
units that constitute a text. Proper decoding is undoubtedly a necessary but not sufficient condition for

understanding a text (Valeria ABUSAMRA 1, 2012). The causes of a lack of interest in readin
g can be
attributed to deficiencies in decoding, which in turn leads to poor academic performance in other subjects,

given that reading is an essential skill in education. A lack of vocabulary and meaning in relation to other

subjects impairs communication
and leads to low self-esteem, as students are unable to interpret these
subjects in their own words. Furthermore, a lack of metacognition, which leads to a shallower

understanding, is also a consequence of this.
(Sisa, 2023) At present there are learners who have not
developed the ability to grasp the meaning of what they read, to form associations and anticipate the

sequence of ideas, and to fuse the meaning of words into ideas, the associations that reading raises to

construct the ideas the author wishes
to convey, the ability to relate and organise ideas, to grasp the meaning
of sentences and paragraphs in their full context and recognise their relative importance, and the ability to

read at a reasonable speed.
On the other hand, intensive reading during school hours plays a very important
role. There should be interesting topics and reading comprehension tasks. Harmer (2011) stresses the

importance of organising students into roles (organiser, observer, feedback and prompter). It would be

necessary for t
he teacher and learners to find some adaptations for learners to develop their abilities to grasp
the overall message of the reading and to understand the meaning of many words without ‘translating’ each

word (Jalilifar, 2010).

Unfortunately, in Ecuador, there is no culture of reading in English and this is due to the stagnation of the

teaching programmes, whose references do not go beyond grammar, little reading and writing, little

motivation, and little application of cooperati
ve learning activities and the non-recognition of English as a
professional requirement. There are some Ecuadorian populations where the knowledge and use of English

as a communication tool has not been adequately applied (Guadalupe, 2018).

In Ecuador, several studies have been conducted on the use of cooperative learning strategies to improve

reading comprehension in secondary school students. For example, a study by (Alba Inuca, and Jessica

Patricia, 2023) entitled ‘The effects of cooperati
ve learning in the development of reading comprehension
pág. 5630
in English in young students’ determines that the methods used by teachers are not adequate for the

development of reading comprehension, since it can be observed that students present certain difficulties

in the comprehension of readings in the English la
nguage. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account
that the little stimulation in learning causes introverted students with little participation, with little

integration and interrelation with their classmates, generating difficulties in the developme
nt of reading
comprehension skills and abilities in the students. It is also necessary to emphasise teaching innovation to

provoke interest and motivation in students through teaching methods and new strategies that generate

expectations of improvement in
education, so that teachers must be up to the new challenges imposed by
the education sector.

This low rate of proficiency has led educators to explore new and innovative teaching strategies, including

cooperative learning, to help students develop their reading comprehension skills (Castillo,2021). By

properly using the strategies related to coope
rative learning, the interest, attention and participation of 15-
16 year
-old students in the public school of the city of Chone will be maintained, and they will have greater
concentration and internalisation of learning, as they will be interconnected so
that each one takes
ownership of the goal that the others learn.

In order to carry out this research study, the following research question was formulated: How does

cooperative learning influence the development of reading comprehension in English in 15
-16 year old
students? In addition, a number of specific objectives
were set out. |The first was to investigate the
cooperative learning activities that improve reading comprehension in English. The second
one was to
analyse the contributions of cooperative learning activities developed in the processes of reading

comprehension of English texts, and the third
one was to design a guide of cooperative learning activities
to develop reading comprehension in English.
Finally, this study concludes that the appropriate use of
cooperative learning methods in the teaching
-learning process enables students to develop English reading
comprehension skills because it emphasizes active and positive interaction among students in the

development of reading comprehension in the learning process.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Cooperative learning,
is a pedagogical approach that emphasises collaborative efforts among students, has
received considerable attention in educational research. It is a learner
-centred, teacher-facilitated teaching
pág. 5631
strategy in which a small group of students takes responsibility for their learning and for the learning of all

members of the group. Students interact with each other in the same group to acquire and work on the

elements of a subject in order to solve a p
roblem, complete a task or achieve a goal.
Developed by Johnson and Johnson (1989), social interdependence theory posits that positive

interdependence among group members fosters cooperative behaviors and enhances academic outcomes.

Cooperative learning structures, such as group goals and shared re
wards, promote collective effort and
mutual support among students.
Vygotsky (1978) emphasized the significance of social interaction in
cognitive development. According to sociocultural theory, learning occurs through collaborative activities

within a cul
tural context. Cooperative learning aligns with Vygotsky's framework by providing
opportunities for peer interaction, scaffolding, and zone of proximal development.
Constructivism: Rooted
in the works of Piaget and Dewey, constructivism asserts that learners actively construct knowledge through

social interactions and hands
-on experiences. Cooperative learning encourages students to engage in
meaningful discussions, p
roblem-solving tasks, and shared reflections, facilitating the construction of
knowledge in
a social context.
This philosophical and educational direction is also called constructivism. Honebein (1996), cited by Adom,

Yeboah, and Ankrah (2016), explains that constructivism is the way “people construct their understanding

and knowledge of the world by experiencing
things and reflecting on those experiences” (p. 2).
Furthermore, “learning occurs only when the student discovers knowledge through the spirit of

experimentation and action” (Kalender, 2007) in Adom et al., (2016, p. 2). It has long been established that

P
eople learn to do things through their sensory, cognitive, and emotional inclinations and abilities. They
help to better understand the object of study; In other words, students essentially internalize the discovered

"truths" by connecting the old psycholo
gical context with the new existing knowledge.
A meta
-analysis by Johnson et al. (2014) revealed that cooperative learning strategies consistently produced
positive effects on academic achievement, including improved grades and higher test scores.
Slavin (1995)
conducted a meta
-analysis focusing on cooperative learning in K-12 classrooms, reporting significant gains
in student achievement across subject areas and grade levels.
Kagan (1994) examined the impact of
cooperative learning structures, such as Think
-Pair-Share and Jigsaw, on student engagement and learning
pág. 5632
outcomes. Findings indicated enhanced motivation, deeper understanding, and improved interpersonal

skills among participants.

Gillies (2016) investigated the effects of cooperative learning on students' social skills development,

highlighting improvements in communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution abilities.
Additionally,
Lou et al. (2019) explored the role of cooperative learning in promoting critical thinking skills,

demonstrating positive effects on students' ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information.

Cooperative learning strategies offer several benefits. They promote teamwork, encourage active

partici
pation, and enhance critical thinking (Baloche and Brody, 2017). These strategies can be adapted and
applied across different disciplines, fields, and levels of education. They can be tailored to meet the unique

needs and goals of different groups of learn
ers. This teaching method is highly effective in promoting
positive and meaningful learning experiences for students. Collaboration and communication among

students are emphasized, leading to improved academic performance, social skills, and learning attit
udes.
This approach is supported by Cola et al. (2021).

During cooperative learning, face
-to-face interaction involves direct communication and collaboration
among group members throughout learning activities. As Slavin and Smith (2023) point out, "face
-to-face
interaction facilitates the exchange of ideas, pro
blem-solving and the development of social skills, which
enriches the collaborative learning process".
Cooperative learning allows the teacher to achieve several
objectives at the same time (Johnson, Johnson and Holubec, 1999, p. 9).
This approach aims to enhance
outcomes for all students, including those with a variety of learning difficulties. It also promotes positive

interpersonal and intergroup relationships in the classroom, making it an important tool for diversity

education and inclusive schools. Ad
ditionally, it provides students with the experiences necessary for
healthy social, psychological, and cognitive development.

The effects of implementing cooperative learning in classrooms are the following: 1) at the individual level,

it increases academic performance, intrinsic motivation, capacity for cooperation, etc.; 2) at the

interpersonal and group level, relationships be
tween classmates improve, group cohesion increases, school
violence is reduced, etc.; 3) at the organizational level, the participation of its members improves decision

making, increases organizational satisfaction, increases responsibility, etc., and 4) a
t the social level, all of
pág. 5633
the above influences, to a greater or lesser extent and in the medium and long term. the term, in a positive

transformation of society, making it more democratic, more cooperative, and more supportive.

Reading comprehension is a complex cognitive process that involves constructing meaning from text.

Reading involves three interrelated elements: the reader, the text, and the activity or reading task, all situated

in a broader sociocultural context. (Rees
e Butterfuss, 2020). Reading comprehension is considered one of
the most complex activities humans can perform (Kendeou, McMaster, & Christ, 2016). This complexity

hinders the development of a comprehensive theory that can make precise predictions across r
eaders, texts,
and discourse contexts (Kendeou & O’Brien, 2014; Perfetti & Stafura, 2014).

Schema theory, proposed by Rumelhart (1980), suggests that readers use prior knowledge and experiences

(schemata) to understand text. Readers activate relevant schemas, make connections to the text, and

integrate new information with existing knowledge str
uctures to construct meaning. On the other hand, the
interactive compensatory model, developed by Stanovich (1980), emphasizes the dynamic interaction

between the cognitive processes involved in reading comprehension. According to this model, readers use

v
arious strategies, such as decoding, vocabulary knowledge, and metacognitive monitoring, to compensate
for deficiencies in an area and facilitate comprehension.
The transactional theory of reading proposed by
Rosenblatt (1978) considers reading as an interactive process between the reader and the text. According to

this view, meaning is formed jointly through the transaction between the reader's prior knowledge, t
extual
features, and situational context.

The simple view of reading, articulated by Gough and Tunmer (1986), presents that reading comprehension

is the product of two essential components: decoding (word recognition) and linguistic comprehension

(language comprehension). Proficient reading compre
hension requires accurate word recognition and an
understanding of language structure and meaning.
For its part, the National Reading Panel (2000) conducted
a thorough review of the study on reading instruction and identified five essential components of e
ffective
reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies.

Instructional approaches that focus on these components have been shown to improve reading

comprehension.

On the one hand, the RAND Reading Study Group (2002) synthesizes research on effective teaching of

reading comprehension and emphasizes the importance of clearly teaching comprehension strategies such
pág. 5634
as summarizing, generating questions, and monitoring comprehension. These strategies help students

actively interact with the text and monitor their understanding.
In other instances, Hattie's (2009) meta-
analysis of educational interventions identified several strategies with high effect sizes for improving

reading comprehension, including reciprocal teaching, cooperative learning, and explicit instruction in

compre
hension strategies. Snow, Burns, and Griffin (1998) showed a meta-analysis of studies on
voc
abulary teaching and found that explicit vocabulary teaching contributes significantly to improving
reading comprehension.

METHODOLOGY

This educational research studies the influence of cooperative learning on the development of reading

comprehension in English in 15 and 16 year old students. Therefore, this study adopts a constructivist

paradigm, recognising that knowledge is actively co
nstructed by individuals through interaction with their
environment. The approach is qualitative, focusing on interpretation and descriptive results, and with the

aim of investigating the impact of cooperative learning on reading comprehension skills in En
glish, the
inductive method is applied.

From a population of 300 students divided into 8 parallel first year high school students, 39 students from

the first year of high school ‘G’ and 1 English teacher from a public school belonging to the urban area of

the city of Chone, with reported ages be
tween 15 and 16 years old, were selected for convenience. 40% are
male and 60% are female. Forty percent are male and 60% are female. During the execution of the study,

they completed the 3rd trimester. They accepted the invitation to participate voluntari
ly in this study without
any payment or public recognition. The identity of the participants remains anonymous. The data obtained

in the research are kept in the custody of the research team and may only be used for academic purposes in

accordance with APA
ethical guidelines.
Among the instruments used for data collection, an observation form was applied to students in class during

cooperative learning sessions to assess group dynamics, levels of participation and patterns of interaction

among students. A semi
-structured interview was also conducted with an English teacher at the same school
to explore her perspectives on the effectiveness of cooperative learning in improving reading

comprehension skills.
pág. 5635
RESULTS

The data for this research has been collected by organising and explaining information about cooperative

learning in reading comprehension (Adnyana, 2014). The data have been directed to answer the problem

posed through qualitative research. For this purpo
se, observation and interview forms were used as
instruments. The researcher attended a total population of 300 students divided into 8 parallels of which 1

parallel was chosen that had 39 students from a public school in the urban area of the city of Chon
e who
participated in the observation. Data were then collected to accept or reject the corresponding hypothesis.
.
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

Active participation
.
Table
1
Students actively participate in cooperative learning activities.

Valid
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
I
t is always carried out 0 0.0 0.0 0.0
I
t is carried out occasionally 39 100.0 100.0 100.0
N
ot carried out. 0 0.0 0.0 100.0
Total
39 100.0 100.0 100.0
Table.2

Cooperates with classmates in solving problems related to reading in English.

Valid
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
I
t is always carried out 39 100.0 100.0 100.0
I
t is carried out occasionally 0 0.0 0.0 100.0
N
ot carried out 0 0.0 0.0 100.0
Total 39 100.0 100.0
100.0
pág. 5636
Table 3

Participate in group discussions to understand the content read
.
Valid
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
I
t is always carried out 39 100.0 100.0 100.0
I
t is carried out occasionally 0 0.0 0.0 100.0
N
ot carried out 0 0.0 0.0 100.0
Total 39 100.0 100.0 100.0

These tables reflect the results provided: for the category Active participation from the observation sheet

applied to the
39 students, where it was found in item 1 that all students participate 'it is done occasionally',
while for items 2 and 3, all participate 'it is always done' and none respond 'it is not done'.

No
Questions Teacher Analysis and interpretation
1
How do you encourage
cooperative learning and

mutual support among

students in your classroom?

Through participation

in pairs or groups. Also

by assigning roles to

help others in
more
complex activities.

Participation in groups promotes more

active and participatory learning

compared to individual activities.

Students are more involved when they

have to work together to solve

problems
.
2
Can you give examples of
collaborative projects or

activities that you have

implemented to encourage

teamwork and peer support?

Stories, legends,

comics, role plays.

The response suggests that the selected

activities are effective because of their

specific characteristics that promote

deeper and
more dynamic reading
comprehension:
Multimodality:
Comics, by combining text and images,

and role
-playing games, by combining
reading and acting, allow reading

comprehension to be approached from

multiple angles, which is beneficial for

different types of learners (visual,

auditory, kinaesth
etic).
Global
Analysis The strategy of encouraging cooperative learning and mutual
support through participation in pairs or groups, and the

assignment of roles in complex activities, not only promotes a

more inclusive and participatory learning environment, but also

facilitates
skills development. The choice of stories, legends,
comics and role
-plays as activities to enhance reading
comprehension is a good one, as these activities offer a varied and

engaging approach that can benefit students in different ways.

Diversity in the
type of texts and the mode of interaction with them
can make reading practice more complete and effective. This, in

turn, can lead to a significant improvement in reading

comprehension by engaging students more deeply and

dynamically in the reading process
.
pág. 5637
DISCUSSION

Based on the review of the literature and the results obtained in this research, the author agrees with the

position of the theory of social interdependence developed by Johnson and Johnson (1989), which

postulates that positive interdependence between gro
up members fosters cooperative behaviors and
improves academic results. Cooperative learning structures, such as group goals and shared rewards,

promote collective effort and mutual support among students.

From the results obtained in this research, the high relevance of the approach that promotes the active

participation of students, the exchange of ideas, the construction of shared knowledge, and the development

of social and emotional skills, such as stra
tegies to improve reading comprehension, including reciprocal
teaching, cooperative learning, and explicit instruction, comprehension strategies identified by Hattie

(2009) in the meta
-analysis of educational interventions.
However, the author confirms the position of Roseth et al. (2020) in stating that emotional safety is crucial

for effective cooperative learning, as it encourages students to share their ideas, ask questions, and

participate in discussions without fear of
ridicule or judgment. Furthermore, the author ratifies the position
of D'Mello and Graesser (2019), when he states that cooperative learning improves students' sense of

belonging as they work together toward common goals, fostering a supportive community w
here each
member feels valued and included. On the other hand, the author confirms the interactive compensatory

model, developed by Stanovich (1980), who emphasizes the dynamic interaction between the cognitive

processes involved in reading comprehension.

A study by (Alba Inuca, and Jessica Patricia, 2023) titled “The effects of cooperative learning on the

development of reading comprehension in English in young students” determines that the methods used by

teachers are not appropriate for the development o
f comprehension of the reader, since it can be observed
that students present certain difficulties in understanding readings in the English language. Finally, this

study concludes that the appropriate use of cooperative learning methods in the teaching
-learning process
allows students
to develop reading comprehension skills in the English language because it emphasizes the
active and positive interaction between students in
developing understanding of the reader within the
learning process.
pág. 5638
Regarding the results obtained in the observations carried out in the classroom, in category 2 item 1 Students

occasionally demonstrate effective communication skills in English when interacting with their classmates.

The instructor provides effective rule
s/instructions that support students' needs. However, it was observed
that some students do not feel confident in engaging in effective communication in English. The

recommendation is that teachers apply strategies that reinforce the development of these c
ommunication
skills to improve performance in activities.

In category 3, item 3 results in reading resources and strategies being occasionally shared among group

members. This indicates that while reading resources and strategies are sometimes shared among group

members, they are not It is always so. It would be beneficial to promote a stronger culture of sharing

resources and strategies among students to enrich their learning experience and foster greater collaboration.

This could be an area of focus to encourage greater collaboration and maximize learning potential in the

classroom.
In item 2 of category 4, progress is occasionally observed in the application of reading
comprehension techniques, such as summarizing, identifying main ideas, etc. This suggests that
although
students may be using reading strategies, progress in effectively applying these techniques may be variable

and may require more attention and reinforcement.
In item 1 of category 5, it is observed that students show
interest and motivation by occasionally participating in reading activities in English. This suggests that

while some students may be interested and motivated by these activities, not all students
display this
behavior consistently.

During the observation, the results were satisfactory in most categories. However, teachers are

recommended to apply strategies that reinforce the development of communication skills; encourage greater

collaboration, and maximize learning potential in the
classroom; it also aims to provide greater attention
and reinforcement to the effective application of reading comprehension techniques in the classroom and

investigate the factors that contribute to the lack of participation in reading activities in the c
lassroom.
English.

The results allow the researchers to present this study where a consistently high level of active participation,

communication skills, cooperative support, development of reading strategies, motivation, and positive

attitudes towards reading were found amo
ng the participants. These findings suggest a strong commitment
pág. 5639
to the teaching
-learning process and a supportive classroom environment conducive to the development of
English reading comprehension skills through cooperative learning.

Furthermore, it is essential that topics on cooperative learning be integrated into the curriculum with an

emphasis on the development of reading comprehension in English, and that teachers seek or create

techniques that improve the dynamism of English cla
sses in the classroom, offering open communication.
and creating motivating spaces that invite the student to feel safe to communicate effectively in English

among their peers. The researchers then stated that students should create a stronger culture of s
haring
resources and strategies in the classroom to enrich their learning experience and encourage greater peer

collaboration, but also address and monitor any behavior that affects the normal good functioning of

students. students and instructors in the c
lassroom.
It would be necessary to consider more research to know the perceptions of the participants regarding the

application of cooperative learning activities in the classroom and to verify if this method has beneficial

effects on avoiding bullying.

CONCLUSION.

The general objective proposed in this research was to determine the influence of cooperative learning on

the development of reading comprehension skills in English in students aged 15
-16. Having achieved this
objective, it is concluded that the process of
reading comprehension in a foreign language is not an easy
task and requires time, planning, and knowledge on the part of the educator. In this sense, it was possible

to verify, from the practice of teaching English in the parallels of the first year of s
econdary school, that
frequently the teaching of this language is limited to the memorization of vocabulary which, although

necessary, does not generate learning. , because students do not practice it in effective communication in

English between peers, to
give an appropriate meaning to the general context of the writing.
However, with this study, it became evident how through the design, application, and evaluation of

cooperative learning activities, the development of reading skills in English
- as a foreign language - is
enhanced, since its structure is based on work
-by-objectives. group, and shared rewards. promote collective
effort and mutual support among students, as stated in the theory developed by Johnson and Johnson (1989).

Social interdependence theory posits that positive interdependence among group members fost
ers
cooperative behavior and improvement. academic results.
pág. 5640
Through the observation technique, this process is monitored, and positive and relevant results are obtained

that affirm that cooperative learning activities do influence the development of reading comprehension in

English. Furthermore, structuring didacti
c activities based on cooperative learning is relevant, since it
allows students to confront authentic and meaningful texts among peers and at the same time requires them

to carry out cognitive actions that help in the acquisition of deep learning. As Slav
in and Smith (2023) point
out, “face
-to-face interaction facilitates the exchange of ideas, problem-solving, and the development of
social skills, which enriches the collaborative learning process.”

Since reading comprehension is a complex process, even more so when it comes to a foreign language,

Salvador, Gallego & Mierés (2007) express that accessing textual interpretation requires developing some

cognitive processes such as giving the appropriate
meaning to the words and constructing first, meaning at
a local level and then at a global level, which requires work and dedication in the apprentices. The reason

why, from the first approaches to reading, teachers must propose activities that promote mot
ivation and
interest in learners to regularly practice reading in English, especially in the classroom, so that students can

develop the ability to read. read comprehensively, since the guarantee of understanding is the reader's ability

to make inferences.
(Jouini, 2005).
Finally, this work becomes the basis for future research, since there are still topics to be investigated related

to the application of cooperative learning activities for the development of reading comprehension skills in

English. Furthermore, it is evide
nt that cooperative learning structures, which are often based on positive
interdependence between group members, contribute (Rojas, 2017)to positive emotional experiences.

According to Hämäläinen et al. (2021), "positive interdependence in cooperative lea
rning fosters feelings
of camaraderie and mutual respect among students, which leads to greater motivation and commitment in

the learning process." Starting from this concept, the line of research is proposed:

Cooperative learning and its benefits to avoid bullying.

Any effort to enhance learning through cooperation techniques that positively influence emotions by

creating an environment that prioritizes emotional security, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes

positive interdependence among students deserves to
be put into practice.
pág. 5641
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of Education for Teaching.
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Gillies, R. (2016). Cooperative learning: Review of research and practice.
Australian . Journal of Teacher
Education., 39-54.

Gómez Palomino, J. (2011). COMPRENSION LECTORA Y RENDIMIENTO ESCOLAR: UNA RUTA
PARA MEJORAR. : Revista de Investigación en Comunicación y Desarrollo, vol. 2, núm., 27-36.

Gough, P. B., & Tunmer, W. E. (1986). Decoding, reading, and reading disability. Remedial and Special

Education, 7(1), 6
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Guadalupe, A. M. (2018).
Empowering Ecuadorian indigenous learners in their English performance.
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Hattie, J. (2009).
Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement.
Routledge

Jalilifar, A. (2010).
The effect of cooperative learning techniques on college students’ reading
comprehension.
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Johnson, D.W., Johnson,R.T.,& Smith,K.A. (2014). Cooperative learning: Improving university instruction

by basing practice on validated theory.
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Jouini, K. ((2005)). Estrategias inferenciales en la comprensión lectora.
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Kagan, S. (1994). Cooperative learning.
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Appendix

GUIDE OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP READING COMPREHENSION

IN ENGLISH.

Introduction to Cooperative Learning for Reading Comprehension.

Cooperative learning is a powerful instructional approach that can significantly enhance reading

comprehension in the classroom. This guide will explore the benefits of cooperative learning, provide

strategies for forming effective learning groups, and hig
hlight specific cooperative learning techniques that
promote active engagement, interdependence, and deeper understanding of reading materials.

Benefits of Cooperative Learning in Reading Instruction

Cooperative learning offers numerous advantages for developing reading comprehension skills. By working

in small groups, students can engage in meaningful discussions, clarify concepts, and learn from their peers.

This collaborative approach fosters a supp
ortive learning environment, encourages active participation, and
allows students to take ownership of their learning. Furthermore, cooperative learning strategies have been

shown to improve reading fluency, vocabulary acquisition, and overall academic ach
ievement.
Improved Comprehension ._ Cooperative learning activities facilitate deeper understanding of reading

materials through peer
-to-peer discussions and shared learning experiences.
Enhanced Engagement ._ The collaborative nature of cooperative learning promotes active engagement, as

students work together to achieve common goals and support one another's learning.

Increased Motivation ._Cooperative learning fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, which

can significantly enhance students' motivation and enthusiasm for reading.

Strategies for Forming Cooperative Learning Groups

Effective cooperative learning groups are crucial for the success of this instructional approach. When

forming groups, consider factors such as student ability levels, learning styles, and social dynamics.

Heterogeneous grouping, where students of varying
abilities and backgrounds are mixed, can promote peer
learning and prevent the marginalization of struggling students. Additionally, it's important to establish clear
pág. 5644
guidelines for group interactions, roles, and responsibilities to ensure a productive and inclusive learning

environment.

Heterogeneous Grouping ._ Mix students of different ability levels, learning styles, and backgrounds to

promote peer learning and support.

Assigned Roles. _ Assign specific
roles within the group, such as facilitator, recorder, presenter, and
timekeeper, to ensure effective collaboration.

Group Size. _ Aim for groups of 4
-6 students, as this size allows for active participation and shared
responsibility.

Think
-Pair-Share: Promoting Active Engagement
Think
-Pair-Share is a cooperative learning strategy that encourages active engagement and participation.
In this technique, the teacher poses a question or prompt, and students first think about their individual

responses. Next, students pair up to discuss
their thoughts and ideas. Finally, pairs share their insights with
the whole class, fostering a dynamic and interactive learning environment. This strategy helps students

clarify their understanding, learn from their peers, and develop essential communica
tion skills.
Think. _ Students individually reflect on the question or prompt and formulate their own responses.

Pair. _ Students share their thoughts and ideas with a partner, discussing and exchanging perspectives.

Share. _ Pairs present their collaborative insights to the whole class, promoting active discussion and

learning.

Jigsaw Method: Developing Interdependence

The Jigsaw method is a cooperative learning technique that fosters interdependence and shared

responsibility among students. In this approach, the class is divided into small "home" groups, and each

group member is assigned a unique "expert" topic. Student
s then break off into "expert" groups to research
and master their assigned topic. Finally, the "home" groups reconvene, and each member shares their

expertise, allowing the group to collectively understand the complete body of knowledge.

Home Groups.
- Students are divided into small groups, and each member is assigned a unique expert topic.
Expert Groups. _ Students meet in "expert" groups to research and become specialists in their assigned

topic.
pág. 5645
Jigsaw._ The "home" groups reconvene, and each member shares their expertise, allowing the group to

collectively understand the complete body of knowledge.

Numbered Heads Together: Ensuring Accountability

Numbered Heads Together is a cooperative learning strategy that promotes individual accountability and

group interdependence. In this technique, students are organized into small groups and each member is

assigned a number. The teacher poses a question or
problem, and students work together to ensure that
everyone in the group knows the answer. Then, the teacher randomly calls on a number, and the student

with that number is responsible for responding on behalf of the group. This approach encourages active

participation, shared learning, and a sense of collective responsibility.

Individual Accountability. _ Each student is responsible for mastering the material and being prepared to

represent the group.

Group Interdependence._ Students must work collaboratively to ensure that everyone in the group

understands the content.

Random Selection. _The unpredictable selection of student numbers keeps everyone engaged and focused.

Literature Circles: Fostering Deeper Understanding

Literature Circles are a cooperative learning approach that promotes in
-depth exploration and discussion of
literary texts. In this strategy, students are divided into small groups and assigned specific roles, such as

discussion director, literary luminary
, and vocabulary enricher. Each group member is responsible for
completing their assigned task and contributing their unique perspective to the group's analysis and

interpretation of the reading material. This collaborative process encourages students to e
ngage deeply with
the text, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a genuine appreciation for literature.

Roles and Responsibilities. _ Students are assigned specific roles within their literature circle groups, such

as discussion director, literary luminary, and vocabulary enricher.

Shared Inquiry. _ Group members collectively explore the text, share their insights, and engage in

thoughtful discussions to deepen their understanding of the literature.

Ownership of Learning._ The Literature Circle approach empowers students to take an active role in their

learning, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the reading process.

Conclusion and Additional Resources
pág. 5646
Cooperative learning strategies offer a powerful approach to enhancing reading comprehension in the

classroom. By promoting active engagement, fostering interdependence, and ensuring individual

accountability, these techniques create a dynamic and supporti
ve learning environment that helps students
develop essential reading, communication, and critical thinking skills. To further explore the benefits of

cooperative learning and discover additional resources, please refer to the following sources:

Cooperative Learning Center

https://www.co
-operation.org/
Edutopia's Guide to Cooperative Learning

https://www.edutopia.org/article/getting
-started-cooperative-learning
Johnson & Johnson's Cooperative Learning Resources

https://www.co
-operation.com/resources