This action research paper dealt with how to increase motivation towards English language learning through cooperative work in a public school in Medellín, Colombia. It was necessary to explore the concepts of teachers' beliefs, social teaching, collaborative and cooperative learning, to understand the conditions and activities that favored English language teaching and learning in this group and motivation through: Two questionnaires, two interviews, a students' journal and the student-teachers' in class- participant and non participant observations. Conclusions were drawn concerning certain criteria and some strategies to actually increase motivation in this group of teenagers. An appendix presents strategies that make cooperative work more productive. (A bibliography is included.)