Cooperative Learning: Paper Plane Exchange for Asking and Giving Opinions

Abstract

This study considers student involvement and communicative competence within an interactive, kinesthetic-based teaching framework. It focuses on the implementation of a "Paper Plane Exchange" activity a variation of cooperative learning that utilizes paper planes as a medium for information exchange during the teaching of asking and giving opinions. The study evaluates the impact of this strategy on students' speaking anxiety, confidence, and active participation in an Indonesian EFL context. A qualitative descriptive methodology was utilized, focusing on the pedagogical shift from traditional grammar-centered paradigms to student-centered learning. The teaching design follows a structured six-step process: preparation and material delivery on opinion expressions, a writing phase for relevant daily topics, paper plane construction and launch, finding and responding to peers' questions, core oral interaction through spontaneous discussion, and final class reflection. Data collection highlights the transition from controlled classroom environments to meaningful, purposeful interactions. The results suggest that the kinesthetic element of the activity fostered a low-anxiety atmosphere, enhanced student enthusiasm, and provided a "bridge" for spontaneous oral communication. Students demonstrated greater confidence and improved ability to use English functionally for sharing ideas. However, the implementation demanded careful classroom management and pre-communicative support to mitigate linguistic barriers and the potential for excessive noise.