Research On Cooperative Learning In "New Century English For Senior"

Cooperative learning is a creative and effective teaching theory and strategy being employed widely by many countries nowadays. Cooperative learning originated in the U.S. in 1970s and made substantial development during the middle of 1970s to the middle of 1980s. Due to its striking achievements in improving the social-psychological atmosphere in classroom, raising students' academic results broadly, promoting students to develop non-cognition qualities and etc., it soon drew the attention of the countries from all around the world and became one of the main teaching theories and strategies. It was honored one of the most important and successful teaching reforms in the decade. American outstanding education critics Ellis, A.K. & Fouts, J.T. once stated if they list one education reform, which really conforms to the term "reform", that is cooperative learning. In the decision made by the State Council on reforms and development in basic education, cooperative learning is being proposed. It is reported that cooperative learning should be encouraged to promote communication among students and let the students develop jointly, thus promote development among both teachers and students.The thesis has made a lot of practical research on cooperative learning while using the new textbook—"New Century Senior English". Having been influenced by the traditional teaching mode for such a long time, classroom teaching is focused on teacher-centered, and classroom-centered. English teaching has been more emphasized on grammar, structure patterns. So, middle school students are not able to become the principal part to take part in teaching, positive emotions are not experienced and will power is not embodied. Such traditional teaching has kept the students from developing cooperation and creativity. Cooperation is one of the qualities that the talents in the 21st century should have.The thesis is to change the teaching method by teachers and the learning way by students. That is, carry out cooperative learning while using "New Century Senior English". Cooperative learning is student-centered. As a result, students become the principal part, they have more opportunities to practise English and the process of language acquisition can be guaranteed. It is of great significance that cooperative learning helps cultivate high-quality talents in the 21st century, promote quality-oriented education over all, and enable every one to develop completely.We hope this thesis will be of some value to the upcoming researchers, and it will have little benefit to English teaching and the users of "New Century Senior English" as well.