The Role of Peer Collaboration in TESOL Classrooms: A Review of Benefits and Barriers

English Language

Peer collaboration has emerged as a pivotal pedagogical strategy in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), offering interaction, communication, and mutual learning opportunities among students. This literature review explores the benefits and barriers of peer collaboration in TESOL classrooms, drawing on theoretical and empirical studies. The findings highlight that peer collaboration fosters enhanced language acquisition, communicative competence, learner autonomy, and intercultural awareness while reducing language anxiety. However, the review also identifies significant barriers, including individual differences, cultural and social factors, inequitable participation, and inadequate teacher facilitation. Practical implications are discussed to help educators effectively implement peer collaboration, including strategies for task design, group dynamics, and teacher scaffolding. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research to address gaps in understanding the nuanced role of peer collaboration in diverse TESOL contexts. This review underscores the potential of peer collaboration as a transformative approach to language learning, balancing its challenges with its substantial benefits.

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