Group Dynamics in the Language Classroom

Cambridge Language Teaching Library

by Zoltán Dörnyei

The study of 'group dynamics' is a vibrant academic field, overlapping diverse disciplines. It is also highly relevant to language education because the success of classroom learning is very much dependent on how students relate to each other, what the classroom climate is like, what roles the teacher and the learners play and, more generally, how well students can co-operate and communicate with each other. This innovative book addresses these issues and offers practical advice on how to manage language learner groups in a way that they develop into cohesive and productive teams.

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Zoltán Dörnyei worked for 10 years as a language teacher trainer and applied linguist at Eötvös University, Budapest.

He is now Professor of Psycholinguistics at the School of English, University of Nottingham, UK. He has published nearly 100 academic papers and book chapters on various aspects of second language acquisition and language teaching methodology, and he has written over 20 books on motivation, group dynamics, research methodology and the psycholinguistics of second language learning.

Reviews

[Sandy Millin]

This is a clear and accessible overview of group dynamics, full of ideas for how teachers could work on them. The student voices throughout are an interesting insight into the effects of simple changes on how you might work with a group, and how much more comfortable students can feel if you make them. I’d definitely recommend this if you’re interested in how to make your groups work together more smoothly, and how to better recognise when to act and when to stand back when it comes to group conflicts.

[Susie]

Although I read this book with the thought of using it in the language classroom, I found there are far-reaching benefits for all kinds of groups. It really taught me a lot about the growth patterns of groups and reminded me that conflict is not necessarily a thing to be avoided. In order for groups to continue growing, conflict will come up, and dealing with it in a productive manner contributes to the growth of the group. There are many important lessons to be learned from this book to be used in and out of the language classroom.

[Jen]

This book came at a perfect time for me--one year out of grad school and looking for a refresher on the power of group dynamics. Such a great balance of clear, theoretical information and practical activities to try. I'll be using this as one of my manuals this summer.