Application Of Three-dimensional Grammar Framework In Task-based Grammar Teaching In Junior High School

As a very important part of foreign language teaching, grammar teaching has always been focused on by linguistic researchers and foreign language teachers. But there has been two common problems in English grammar teaching for a long time. Firstly, the teaching result is not very well. Secondly, students generally consider that grammar learning makes them feel bored. Dr. Larsen Freeman(2010) believes that the key to solve the two problems is to change the concept of teachers and students. Larsen-Freeman puts forward Three-Dimensional Grammar Framework at the beginning of 21 st century. She thinks that English grammar teaching should combine form, meaning and use. Grammar is a meaningful and dynamic system, and it is not only language knowledge, but should be considered as a skill.In the process of the implementation and improvement of New English Curriculum Standard(2003), the task-based approach is more and more widely used in elementary and secondary schools in Xi’an city. This study aims at putting three-dimensional grammar framework into task-based approach in English grammar teaching, and finding the junction of them. By completing the tasks, the students can learn the grammar and use the grammar reasonably in context of three-dimension grammar framework.This study attempts to identify the effects of three-dimensional grammar framework in the junior high school. Therefore, an empirical research which combines qualitative and quantitative research is carried out in two parallel classes of Grade nine of No. 85 junior high school in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. The experiment began in September 14, 2015 and lasted for one semester. With a combination of questionnaires, interviews and tests, this research attempts to answer the following three questions:1. What types of tasks are the students’ preferences in grammar learning?2. What competences of students can be improved through three-dimensional grammar framework ?3. Is combining three-dimensional grammar framework with task-based approach in English grammar teaching more effective than mere task-based approach?According to the research results, this study finds that most junior students prefer to learn English grammar in game-oriented tasks. Although there is no significant difference in improving students’ test scores of English grammar, three-dimensional grammar framework has more obvious advantages in enhancing the students’ interest and confidence in their English learning. What’ more, combining three-dimensional grammar framework with tasks to teach students grammar is more effective in English grammar learning and teaching.