A Study Of Effects Of Cooperative Learning On English Reading Of Senior High Students

Cooperative learning refers to a mutual learning in which students in groups or teams have a clear division of responsibility to complete a common task. It started in the early 20 th century in the U.S, the teaching theory makes great progress between the mid of 1970 s and 1980 s. In China, researchers began to do experiments and systematic research on cooperative learning in the late 1980 s. Many researches show that cooperative learning can improve the atmosphere of class and lift students’ academic performance and have an influence on students’ English reading ability.But it is still necessary to discuss whether it has a positive impact on senior high school students’ English reading and how it influences senior high students English reading. This study analyzed the theory of cooperative learning. Through applying cooperative learning in senior English reading class, it attempted to discuss cooperative learning has a positive effect on English reading of senior high school students. The object of this study is a grade two class in a rural senior high school in Yibin, Sichuan Province. Reading performances, questionnaires, interviews and classroom observation before and after the experiment were applied in research methodology.Through analyzing the data collected, there are some findings in this study:1. By classroom observation, the researcher found that cooperative learning could improve the students’ enthusiasm in English reading classroom, improve students’ learning motivation, and improve students’ communicative ability and form team spirits.2. From the data of students’ reading performances before and after the experiment, the researcher found that cooperative learning could improve the overall level of reading. However, due to individual differences and participation of individual groups, each group made different progress in different degree.3. From the data analysis of students’ questionnaires and interviews, the researcher found that most students changed their negative attitude towards English reading, developed good reading habits and learned the reading skills. Their reading speed and accuracy were improved.As the findings mentioned above, the author believes that cooperative learning in senior English reading class is beneficial to improve senior students’ interest in English reading, promotes their team spirits and improves English reading level and reading ability of senior high school students effectively.It is hoped that this study can provide some teaching inspiration of how to improve the English reading ability of senior high school students to meet the requirements of the National English Curriculum...