The implementation of the four pillars of education; learning to know, to do, to be, and to live
together (Directorate General Higher Education(DIKTI): 2008, cited from UNESCO: 1996) has apparently been
a rhetoric in higher education. Classes are still taught in traditional way. Competence-based curriculum seems to
be neglected when it comes to teaching method. Thus, this study is aimed to promote cooperative learning as a
teaching method in EFL (English for Foreign Language) classroom in higher education to transform the four
pillars of education. This two-cycle-classroom action research is employed to answer the research question; how
can cooperative learning realize the four pillars of education in EFL classrooms?. Observation on the teaching
and learning process is employed to know the effectiveness of the method and questionnaire is used to know the
students’ opinions on the method. Results show that cooperative learning enables students to know, to do, to be
and to live together and students perceive the method in positive ways. Thus, cooperative learning is
recommended as an alternative teaching method to promote the four pillars of education in EFL classrooms in
higher education