La dynamique de groupe dans l’enseignement du français langue étrangère (FLE) au lycée en Suède : Problématique de la participation orale au sein des groupes informels et restreints

Sammanfattning: In this analytical research paper, the notions of second language acquisition and group dynamics are discussed in order to assess whether the latter is lacking in today’s Swedish upper-secondary schools’ French classes. In its theoretical section, this paper focuses on the foreign language didactics taught to students of foreign language education programs in Sweden and, most particularly, on their approach to the advantages and the benefits of group work and group dynamics. The didactic models of Lundahl (2012) and Tornberg (2015) are presented as well as the notions of primary and secondary groups found in Thornberg’s (2006) work. In its analytical section, this paper presents a written interview, built on Lundahl and Skärvad’s (1999) model, which was sent to ten upper-secondary school French teachers. This paper then provides an analysis of their answers based on Georgi’s model, as presented by Dimenäs (2007), and compares the main points to the theory. It emerges from the teacher’s answers that they tend to prefer middle sized groups, as they believe them to be best suited for a good work atmosphere and quality group dynamics. However, and contrary to the working hypothesis of this paper, most of the teachers seem not to think that small groups are an issue. In fact, it appears from their answers that they prefer to work with smaller rather than larger groups, which they find difficult to maneuver.