Such distribution of students and groups allowed us to pool the students
and to analyze them over the two studied dimensions.
In summary, the groups formed are:
I- Heterogeneous:
a- By ability only
b- By nationality only
c- By both ability and nationality
II- Homogeneous:
a- By ability only
b- By nationality only
c- By both ability and nationality
The data collection instruments in the present study were:
- A diagnostic test: to arrange the students in the corresponding
homogeneous or heterogeneous groups according to their abilities.
- A questionnaire: to quantify the students’ attitudes towards the subject
under research as well as towards CL itself.
- Standardized posttest: to measure the students’ achievement after the
teaching techniques and strategies under study were implemented.
- General school’s test: to ensure the reliability of the standardized tests
by comparing the achievement of the students in both of them.
Moreover, the researchers used their observations and the school records
about the kinds and the amounts of misbehavior to get a clearer idea about
the student’s personalities, their general attitudes and how they perceive
themselves. Samples of students were interviewed at different phases of
the research to ensure the adherence and coherence of the research to its
objectives. Focus groups in which other teachers as well as students
representatives participated, were formed to follow up the progress of the
research.