An Empirical Study Of The Cooperative Learning Approach In Senior High School English Class

The New English Curriculum Standards(Experimental Edition)advocates experience,practice,participation,cooperative and communicative learning style and task-oriented approach based on learners'interests,life experience and cognitive level, aiming at developing learners'comprehensive abilities.In such a big background,cooperative learning has become one of the most focused areas in the field of education.In brief,cooperative learning is working together to accomplish shared learning goals.Yet it was not until the early 1990s that some Chinese educators began to carry out some studies on this teaching approach. The study reported in this thesis attempts to assess the effects of cooperative learning in senior high school English class and tries to explore practical applications of cooperative learning principles.Two classes from Senior one in Keshan No.3 Middle School participate in the experiment.Class 7 Grade 1 is the experimental class and Class 8 Grade 1 is the control class.The experimental class is exposed to cooperative learning approach for one semester.The control class is taught with the traditional instruction.The targets of the research convey the following aims:1.Can"Cooperative Learning Approach"arouse senior high school students' interest in English learning?2.Can"Cooperative Learning Approach"be helpful to increase the students English achievements score in senior high school?3.Can"Cooperative Learning Approach"affect the students'(especially for the students with learning difficulties)emotion and attitude positively?4.Can"Cooperative Learning Approach"be helpful to improve the peer relationship in senior high school?The following conclusions are drawn from the research:1.The students in experimental class show stronger interest in English learning.2.The English academic score in experimental class is a little bit higher than that in the control class(although this difference is not statistically significant:t=0.341, p＞0.05).3.The students(especially the students with learning difficulties)have more positive attitude to English learning through cooperative learning.4.The peer relationship in experimental class has been improved,and the students are much more willing to ask for help and help each other actively.