Enhancing Communication in English for Business and Management through Collaborative Learning: A Mixed-Method Study with Syrian Learners

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of collaborative learning in improving communication skills among English for Specific Purposes learners, who voluntarily enrolled in English for Business and Management Language Training course. This mixed-methods study investigated the effectiveness of a collaborative learning approach in enhancing communication skills among Syrian learners in English for Business and Management course. Quantitative data from a 12-item questionnaire administered to 22 participants revealed consistently high mean scores, indicating strong agreement regarding the positive impact of collaborative learning on communicative strategies such as active listening, negotiation, and handling disagreements. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, analysed thematically, further supported these findings, highlighting key themes of enhanced communication skills, increased engagement and motivation, and a supportive learning environment. Participants reported increased confidence and fluency in business-related communication, attributing this improvement to the interactive nature of collaborative activities and the supportive peer interactions. The study concludes that collaborative learning is an effective pedagogical approach for developing communicative competence among Syrian learners in English for Business and Management contexts.