An EmPirical Study On The Application Of Coonerative Learning To Junior English Reading

With the dramatic development of modern society, reading becomes an efficient way for people to gather latest information and knowledge. To English learners, reading plays an important role in English learning. At present, the teaching of English reading in junior middle school is required to place emphasis on training student’s reading ability. However, the traditional teaching methods of English reading are dominated by the teacher-centered concept, which is unfavorable to the improvement of English reading. To a certain degree, it leaves students in a passive position of learning. The teacher in English reading class acts as knowledge indoctrinator; on the contrary, the students are merely passive listeners. It’s necessary to seek more effective teaching models in order to change the teaching situation of English reading. Cooperative learning can be a useful supplement to the current English teaching in junior middle school. Compared to traditional teaching ways, it has advantages which can benefit both teachers and students in various aspects. In this study, the author combines theoretical analysis with empirical study. The purpose is to research on the effectiveness of cooperative learning method applied in junior English teaching of reading. Through the study, the following points are explored:1) How can cooperative learning be applied in junior English teaching of reading? What measures should be carried out in practice?2) Can cooperative learning instruct students to foster autonomous learning habit and positive attitude towards English learning?3) Can students improve their English reading proficiency through cooperative learning?The thesis firstly presents the background, purpose and significance of the study. It reviews domestic and foreign researches of cooperative learning theory, which includes the definition, key elements, and models of cooperative learning, etc. Meanwhile, the author describes the experiment consisting of the research subjects, instruments as well as the main procedure, etc. The detailed data are collected and analyzed after questionnaire survey, face-to-face interview and reading comprehension tests. The author also states the major findings and limitations of the study. In the end, appropriate suggestions and recommendations are given in the thesis.