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ng in the classroom because most of the level of proficiency achieved by different students is determined by participation. The most successful students are those who have both talent and high level of participation in classroom (Wangsa, 2004). Moreover, teachers can not teach effectively without students' participation because the goal of teaching is not only to transmit information but also to transform students from passive recipients of other people's knowledge into active learners (Barry and King, 1993). Students' participation in class is one of the aspects of classroom interaction (Ellis, 1994). It is a process in which opportunities are created for students to practice the second language and to produce output.

2.2.3. Factors affecting students' participation in speaking activities.

There are many factors affecting students' participation such as teachers (e.g., teachers' methods and techniques, teachers' personalities and characteristics), learners (learners' styles), materials (e.g., text books, handouts), and environment. Among them, teachers may be the most important factor because when teachers use suitable methods with interesting topics, students will feel eager to participate in given activities. That is why “group work activities” is the main aim of this study to find out its effect to the level of students' participation.

2.3. Group work activities.

2.3.1. Definition of group work activities.

‘Group work' has been defined by a variety of researchers. According to Richards et. al. (1993, p.216), ‘group work' is a “learning activity which involves a small group of learners working together. The group may work in a single task, or on different part of a large task”. Group work can increase the amount of students talking time and maximize the chances for students to take part in speaking activities in classroom. It is indicated that ‘group work' is a number of people who interact with one another and who are psychologically aware of one another and who perceive themselves to be a group (Harris and Firth, 1990: 145-6). Group work is a specially effective activity for teaching English to students. Peak (1991) states that “Group work is a great way to motivate students toward a more active approach to learning”.(p?)

In brief, group work is one of approaches to help students with motivation and willingness to interact with each other to fulfil communicative tasks successfully.

2.3.2. Advantages and disadvantages of using group work activities.

2.3.2.1. Advantages of using group work activities.

Being explored by many researchers, group work activities have been found to be able to used as one good way to increase students' motivation to take part in speaking activities. It is clear that when students work in a group, they feel more confident and tend to be less embarrassed when they make mistakes (Jacobs, 1998). He also emphasizes that “students will be less competitive when working in group”. Kramsch (1987) states that if teachers organize group work activities, students will have a chance to use language with the least fear of loosing face. Moreover, students can avoid loosing their faces when participating in a group conversation even if when students do not have anything new to say, they can comment, paraphrase or expand on their group-mates.

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