An Investigation Into The Application Of Inquiry-based Teaching In Junior Middle School English Reading Classes

Reading class as one of the important classes of junior middle school English teaching in China,has an important task for students’ language input.The traditional reading teaching only emphasizes the structure of words,phrases,sentences and articles,and neglects the cultivation of students’ thinking and creativity.Inquiry-based teaching(hereafter referred to as IBT)can well make up for its shortcomings.The application of inquiry idea in the whole process of English reading teaching can stimulate students’ thirst for knowledge to the greatest extent and expand their thinking.Through interest construction,knowledge construction,method construction,consciousness construction and ability construction,students’ cognitive ability and language use ability can be improved.This investigation takes 500 students and 60 teachers as the research subject from six junior middle schools(2 provincial model junior middle schools,2 municipal model junior middle schools and 2 ordinary junior middle schools)in Luoyang.It uses classroom observation method,questionnaire survey method and interview method to investigate and analyze the current situation of IBT in junior middle school English reading classes,and try to find out the problems in the application of IBT in junior middle school English reading classes.Based on questionnaire survey method,classroom observation method and interview method,this investigation finds that although some English teachers have the consciousness of applying IBT in English reading classes,and they have also tried to do it to some extent,there are still some phenomena,such as students’ learning interest isn’t high,learning initiative isn’t strong,learning effect isn’t obvious.It is influenced by the single teaching method and the insufficient teaching activities.Therefore,the investigation attempts to find out a new method of inquiry teaching,takes inquiry teaching as the main line,and apply the new mode of reading teaching,so as to improve the effect of English reading teaching.Finally,based on constructivism theory and humanistic theory,this thesis puts forward some suggestions for junior middle school English teachers on the basis of extensive investigation.It encourages them not only should largely try and apply IBT,but also should pay attention to the diversity,science and appropriateness of teaching strategies.They should try their best to enrich teaching activities,fully stimulate students’ learning initiative,enhance their learning initiative,and strive to improve the level of English reading teaching.