Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Individual and Group Forms of Language Learning in the Zone of Proximal Development in Middle School Age

Abstract

The research is devoted to the problem of organization of language learning in the zone of proximal development by means of actualization of language intuition. Hypotheses are tested: training to translate texts containing quasi-words in the zone of proximal development leads to growth of the level of language competence; under specific conditions, training in a small group in the zone of proximal development is no less effective compared to the individual teaching of each pupil. The sample consisted of 74 children under 12 years old. An intergroup two-factor experiment was conducted (presence / absence of training — individual / group work). The author's technique "Translation of texts consisting of quasi-words into Russian " was used. The teacher's assistance in translating quasi-words into Russian in the form of reflexive cooperation with the child, encouraging him to recreate the integral meaning of the text in combination with checking the meanings of quasi-words for compliance with the morphological / grammatical context is the optimal strategy for teaching using quasi-texts. Training leads to improved skills of completing unfinished words in sentences in Russian. The effectiveness of training in a small group indicates the possibility of taking into account the zone of proximal development of each child in group work.