合作学习策略在初中英语课堂教学应用的调查研究_英语论文

Investigation on the Application of Cooperative Learning Strategy in English Class in Junior Middle School

摘要

合作学习策略自20世纪70年代初在美国兴起以来，发展迅速，实践显著，成为当代教学改革最为成功的典范之一。合作学习策略深受世界上许多国家的关注与欢迎。当然，合作学习策略在中国也被广泛应用，它已成为改变传统教学模式，提高教学效率，活跃课堂氛围，调动学生学习英语积极性的重要手段之一。本文在前人研究合作学习策略理论以及使用情况的基础上，对中学初三5个班级教师在英语教学中使用合作学习策略的情况进行了调查。本文研究结果旨在调查研究教师在英语课堂教学中通过使用合作学习策略，是否提高了教学效率，研究合作学习策略对英语课堂教学具有的实践意义。本文以中外教育学者对合作学习策略的应用研究为理论基础，借鉴前人的研究分析，运用听课、教师访谈以及问卷调查的研究手段，对收集的资料加以分析，讨论教师与学生对合作学习策略的态度以及教师在教学活动中采用合作学习策略的频率，从而启发中学英语教师的教学实践。通过对上述问题的研究，对教师的教学活动提出以下建议：

第一，中学教师应该遵循适度原则，提高教学效率。第二，合作学习策略的设计必须具有针对性。第三，合作学习策略的应用应该具有灵活性和适度性。第四，注意与其他教学手段结合，合理使用合作学习策略。

关键词：合作学习策略；调查；初中英语

Abstract

Cooperative learning strategy has developed rapidly since the beginning of 1970s in the United States. Having received much attention from many countries in the world, now it becomes one of the most successful examples in teaching reform.  As a result, cooperative learning strategy is also widely used in China, which has become one of the important ways to change the traditional teaching pattern, to improve the efficiency of teaching, to liven up classroom atmosphere, and to mobilize the enthusiasm of the students to learn English. This paper did an investigation into the application of cooperative learning strategy in five English classes of Grade 9 in middle school, based on the previous research on the theory and use of cooperative learning strategy. It aims to investigate whether teachers can improve teaching efficiency by using cooperative learning strategies in English class teaching, and whether cooperative learning strategy has practical significance for the improvement of English class teaching. The researcher takes the application of cooperative learning strategy of Chinese and foreign educators as theoretical basis, adopting the ways of lectures, interviews and questionnaire to collect data for analyzing and discussing teachers and students’ different understandings about cooperative learning strategy , and the frequency of using cooperative learning strategy so as to inspire the teachers’ teaching practice in Middle School. Through studying the questions above, here are some suggestions for teacher’s teaching activities:

First, middle school teachers should follow appropriate principles to improve the efficiency of teaching; second, the design of cooperative learning strategy must be targeted; third, the application of cooperative learning strategy should be flexible and moderate; and fourth, pay attention to combination with other teaching methods, and use the cooperative learning strategy reasonably.

Key words: cooperative learning strategy; Investigation; Middle School English

Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Purpose of the research 1

1.2 Significance of the research 1

1.3 A brief introduction of the present research 2

2 Literature review 3

2.1 Definition of the Cooperative Learning Strategy 3

2.2 Proposal and development of the Cooperative Learning Strategy 4

2.2.1 Theoretical foundations of the study 4

2.2.2 Basic elements of the Cooperative Learning Strategy 8

2.3 Instructions of the Cooperative Learning Strategy 8

3 Methodology 10

3.1 Research subjects 10

3.2 Research questions 10

3.3 Research instruments 11

3.3.1 Questionnaires 11

3.3.2 Interview 12

3.3.3 Class observation 12

3.4 Data collection 12

4 Results and discussion 13

4.1 Results 13

4.1.1 Teachers’ attitudes 13

4.1.2 Frequency 15

4.1.3 Students’ attitudes 17

4.2 Discussion 19

4.2.1 Effects 19

4.2.2 Advantages and disadvantages 19

4.2.3 Suggestions from teachers about effective use of cooperative learning strategies 21

5 Conclusion 22

5.1 Major findings 22

5.2 Pedagogical implications 22

5.3 Suggestions to future researches 23

References 25

Appendix I 26

Appendix II 28