The traditional teacher-centered ESL class has been prevalent in China for years. Under this circumstance, teachers tend to adopt a spoon-fed teaching method, and become the dominator in ESL class by setting the same instructional pace, explaining a grammar point, leading drill work; while the students’ in-class participation is relatively low. As a result, students with different learning styles often feel suffocated in this teacher-dominated class; they desire to have more opportunities to participate in the free interactions or group discussions.Based on the theoretical framework of interactive teaching approach suggested by Lightbown and Spada(1993),the research aims to analyze the merits of students’ in-group interaction and to examine the feasibility of implementing it in Chinese ESL class. The research reveals that in-group interaction can cultivate students’ independent learning habits by granting them autonomy to bring about the problem and tackle them. Nonetheless, different perceptions from several students and teachers upon group work may influence the usefulness. The research strives to be instructive for the more efficient application of in-group interaction in Chinese ESL class.
