Relationship between Collaborative Learning and University students' Attitudes towards Learning English: Insights from Pakistani Instructors

Collaborative Learning (CL) ensures educational and interpersonal benefits for Pakistani university students. Therefore, research in prospects of CL in learning English as a Second Language (ESL) at Govt. university level is insufficient. This research aimed at investigating the insights of Pakistani ESL instructors about their university students in CL and its relationship with their prospects about university students’ attitudes towards learning English via sociocultural theory. Pakistani ESL instructors from 7 various English departments of 7 public universities were selected employing cluster sampling. Adapted questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from 35 Pakistani ESL instructors. Research revealed that the insights of Pakistani ESL instructors were moderate and high about their university students on the basic five elements of CL in learning English. Likewise, Pakistani ESL instructors revealed high prospects about their university students on three aspects of attitudes towards learning English. A weak positive correlation between the insights of Pakistani ESL instructors about their university students in CL and their prospects about the attitudes of their university students towards learning English was reported. Pakistani ESL instructors revealed that university students gain academic and social benefits through CL activities i.e. lessening fear and anxiety, maintaining social relations, activating participation, enhancing communication, solving problems, and achieving higher order thinking skills. This attempt is beneficial for instructors, parents, policy-makers, curriculum designers, and researchers to promote the excellence in university students’ collaboration