Research On English Learning Difficulties Of Grade Six Students

Ever since the beginning of new century, English language education has attracted more and more attention from government and society. New English Curriculum Standard has been launched for primary school since the year 2001 across the nation, students start English language course from grade three in general area or grade one in some economic-developed area. According to the primary schools'10-year English language educational experiences, the English educational result of Grade Six students becomes an important factor to evaluate the Primary School's English educational achievement. The Preparatory Class for Junior high school in Shanghai equaling Grade Six in other areas is an important transitional grade from Primary School to Junior High School, the English courses fur Preparatory Classes act a critic role to summarize Primary School English language points and improve learning skills. In this sense, the author conducts an investigation and study of the obstacles and difficulties of Shanghai Preparatory Class students' English learning.This thesis uses research methods of literature review, questionnaire, class observation and interview survey, investigating and studying the present situation and the difficulties of English learning of Preparatory Class students. It analyzes the students'English learning situation, difficulties, causes of difficulties, attitudes to difficulties, and methods to solve problem, and finally draws conclusions and makes teaching recommendations.This thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter One is the preface which includes study background and it also deals with research aims, significance, study content and method, and relevant concepts. Chapter Two describes the theoretical basis of English learning difficulties and global present study situation of English learning difficulties. The study theories mainly include Piaget's theory of cognitive development stages, motivation theory and attribution theory. The current global study situation is to summarize the studies of English learning difficulties and problems. Chapter Three is about the investigation and study of the difficulties of English learning, presenting the design theory and frame, implementation and findings of questionnaire. Chapter Four elaborates the analysis of the findings of questionnaire, analyzing English learning difficulties in grammar, listening and speaking, then studying the causes to the difficulties from all aspects, and finally putting forward the methods to solve the problem. Chapter Five draws the study conclusion and offers advice to teachers and parents and finally points out the shortcomings of this thesis.