The Influence of Group Dynamics on Students' Participation in English Class Discussion

Abstract

This paper describes the influence of group dynamics on students' engagement in conversations about learning English. While previous research has often focused on cultural or individual factors like personality and self-confidence, this study focuses on group characteristics including leadership roles, group reinforcement, and group cohesion. The goal is to find out how these internal interactions affect students' propensity to engage in learning activities. As part of a qualitative case study design, data were collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students during a collaborative drama project in an Intro to Literature course. The primary subjects of data collection were group behavior patterns, leadership, and the individual experiences of students during group discussions. The findings of the study provide credence to the idea that group dynamics significantly affect students' participation and engagement in class discussions in English. Important elements like inclusive norms, peer support, and collaborative leadership provide a supportive environment for active learning. (Dörnyei & Malderez, 1997).