Teachers' Understandings and Perceptions about Applying ‎Cooperative learning in English lessons at Al-Mandaq ‎schools in Al-Baha

      The present study aims to investigate the extent to which cooperative learning strategy is used in the English classrooms, and to discover the attitudes of the teachers  toward  applying cooperative learning  and their reasons behind using it. In addition, it tries to examine the teachers' views about the factors that lead to effective cooperative learning in English classrooms . Finally , this study tries to show the teachers opinions about the relationship between applying cooperative learning and students level of proficiency in mastering the language.The results showed the following : First, cooperative learning strategy is popular and common among English teachers in Al-Mandaq schools. Also cooperative learning is effective and applying this strategy does not reduce the opportunities of applying other strategies . Second, there are different reasons which make teachers apply cooperative learning such as ; cooperative learning enhances students' social skills , also it promotes friendship among students, and helps students to overcome their shyness .Third, appropriate classroom atmosphere, students' willingness to learn , and cooperative learning training are factors that lead to effective cooperative learning . Finally, the results showed that there is a strong relationship between applying cooperative learning and the students' level of proficiency. Cooperative learning helps students to be more confident , enhances  students' self-esteem , and improves students' fluency.