A Study On The Effectiveness Of Module-Specific Curriculum Model In College English Teaching

With the integration of the society and the blending of culture and economy, English grows more and more important in world languages. The practical ability of English becomes a core ability emphasized by foreign language teaching. How to improve communication and practical ability of English for college students have been on agenda. With great pressure from the society, educators are on the way to their ceaseless exploration of English teaching innovation, expecting to find an overall and effective college English teaching model. Lots of colleges and universities make great efforts to seek their new English teaching models according to their actual situation. They implemented and debuted various patterns of college English teaching model on the basis of network environment, such as:Hierarchic English teaching, hierarchic and model-specific curriculum model, college English "3+X " patterns, the rolling hierarchic teaching, English compulsory and optional courses, and other class models.Although various patterns of teaching modes were actively put into practice, the educators cannot decide which model is fit for their situation, and whether the model implemented in the university is the most suitable one. The study probes into the theoretical basis of model using constructivism, input and output hypothesis and multiple intelligences. Summed up the domestic studies in the field of module-specific curriculum model, the thesis gives a general description of the model, analyses its features, functions, advantages and disadvantages.The study was based on the case of Xianning College where the author is working. Xianning College has implemented model-specific curriculum model since 2009. The subjects involved were students majoring in Chinese, Medicine and Art Design. Questionnaires, interviews and classroom observation are used to gain data. It mainly involved students of 2008 who hadn't participated in the teaching reform and students of 2010 who have participated in the teaching reform as well as educators who are working in the related classes. Teachers'and students'attitude toward new class model, changes of students'practical ability will be analyzed. Challenges and future improvement are also discussed in the study. The effectiveness of model-specific curriculum model in college English teaching is tested. The results obtained from the study revealed that module-specific curriculum model distributed various English learning skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation) in different courses. Students practice all these abilities in the class and make improvements, and the diversity of curriculum model also enriched the English language teaching. Because the training of different abilities is more explicit, and the key points of teaching are clearer, the educators can focus their attention on specific area and improve the teaching efficiency. The diversity of curriculum model achieves a more reasonable teaching arrangement. In various teaching and learning activities, students can cultivate their team spirit, creativity, etc. Most of the students can benefit a lot from the new model. Only a few find it difficult to make progress in the self-learning mode due to lack of Basic English.The study analyzed model-specific curriculum model (the arrangement of the model is "listening & speaking course" plus "comprehensive English course" and "3+X" model) in Xianning College. It provides an evidence to test the effectiveness of the new model for Xianning College, and also gives reference to similar universities that are seeking for teaching reform Schools can implement their own model based on the students'quality and the school's actual conditions in their future English teaching. The model can help students improve their practical abilities. So that college English teaching can meet the need of students'interest and social requirements.