ABSTRACT

This paper explains an action research project carried out at a public institution in
Marinilla, Antioquia. The aim was to improve teenagers oral production in English by
means of the implementation of cooperative learning strategies. The data was gathered
through a participant observation, interviews to students, a teachers interview and a
systematic reflection on the teachers practices as to understand students perception and
attitudes towards English. Additionally, three sessions were implemented with cooperative
learning strategies which were based on the students' needs and topics covered during their
school period.
The results from this study showed that the English teacher in charge of the group
used a great variety of strategies based on the memory to promote students oral production,
which did not contribute to improve students oral production. The majority of students
were afraid of speaking in English, were not able to do it spontaneously and did not feel the
necessity to learn it. Nevertheless, after applying the aforementioned strategies, it was
discovered that they did not only help students feel more comfortable and motivated when
speaking, but also enhanced their oral production considerably.

Key words: Oral Production, Cooperative learning strategies.