Application of cooperative learning in teaching foreign languages for professional purposes

Abstract: The aim of this research paper was to explore the students’ awareness of cooperative learning methods and their application in higher education institutions (HEI). The introductory part of the paper contains a brief survey of the history of cooperative learning and the explanation of basic concepts. The focus of empirical research was on data collection on the importance and benefits of applying cooperative methods in teaching as well as on the learners’ perception of the differences between traditional instruction and cooperative learning. Two hypotheses were formulated: the first one on the students’ awareness of innovative teaching methods was corroborated; the second one on benefits of cooperative learning methods for students’ future careers was only partially corroborated.