This study aims to examine the effects of group work in level-based English class on high school students' English ability and their change in perception of English Language. Low level students need more special teaching than high level students. However, Korean English teachers teach both groups of students using the same teaching methodology. They usually explain the textbook to low level students. It is clear that teachers have to enhance their teaching methods to help low level students improve their ability in English language.
This study is focused on lower level students, freshmen in high school. The teaching method of this study is based on the assumption that if lower level students are taught in classes that are grouped according to their English ability and by group work principles, their scores and the extent of how well they evaluate themselves will be raised. The research questions are 1) Will the students instructed through group work improve English ability? and 2) Will the students instructed through group work have a positive change in perception toward learning English?
The results of this study were presented as follows:
Learning English through group work was very effective when it comes to improving English ability. especially for low level students. This is because students who studied through group work participated actively and involved themselves in the class, which provided them with the ability to learn energetically.
Students in experimental groups got higher grades in their English test It seems that students who improve their English ability feel confident and become more active in studying English, which leads to improved grades in their English test.
At the beginning of this experiment, the two groups almost had the same scores in their English test, but there was a significant change in the improvement of their reading comprehension and grades. At the end of this experiment, the experimental group showed higher scores in their test.
In conclusion, we can say that teaching methodology through group work have positive effects on learner's English ability and perception change. Group work in lower level classes made among students increases the interest and willingness to learn English.