| Summary: | The research deals with an aspect of communication which could effect the teaching/learning
situation, namely communication apprehension. The research also deals with
cooperative group work, and the role that it plays in reducing communication
apprehension.
A review of literature concerning cooperative group work, communication apprehension
and the role of the educator was conducted in order to establish which factors could
affect the role that these variables play in the classroom situation.
A general survey of educators was distributed to all the English first language schools
in the KOSH (Klerksdorp-Orkney-Stilfontein and Hartebeesfontein) area of the North
West province, and the data was analysed by the researcher.
The Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) was used as an
instrument to measure the learners communication apprehension. The responses were
analysed with the assistance of the Statistical Consultant Service of Potchefstroom
University for Christian Higher Education.
The study was two-fold: to determine if educators in the English first language primary
schools in the KOSH area of the North West province, were implementing cooperative
group work models in their classrooms, and to determine if the Grade 7 learners in
these schools experienced communication apprehension. The study also aimed to
determine if cooperative group work lessened the degree of communication
apprehension experienced.
The first section of the study indicated that the educators in these schools were indeed
implementing cooperative group work models, although 36.6% of these educators had
not received any formal training in the implementation of cooperative group work in
their classrooms.
The second section of the study, the empirical study, indicated that the study
population experienced an average communication apprehension of 47.7%. Afrikaans
female learners experienced the lowest average communication apprehension of
44.2%, while Afrikaans male learners experienced the highest average communication
apprehension of 54.8%.
The study indicated that L1 learners and ESL (English second language) learners
experience comparative levels of communication apprehension.
The study also indicated that for each of the L1 and ESL groups, group work
communication apprehension was lower than all other communication apprehension
contexts. === Thesis (M.Ed.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002
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