A Study On The Correlation Between Classroom Environment And English Learner Autonomy

Chinese English learners do not have a native language learning environment.The classroom is the main place for students to input English language,so the classroom environment is an important external factor affecting learners' English learning effectiveness.Attention has been paid concerning the relationship between the Perception of Classroom Environment(PCE)and the English Learner Autonomy(ELA).It's of some practical significance to explore the topic.This study,based on Lewin Field Dynamics theory and Humanism theory,applies the quantitative analysis and questionnaire survey to the exploration of the overall situation of PCE and ELA.It's aimed to reveal internal laws and characteristics between PCE and ELA to some extent,and broaden the theoretical research scope of PCE and ELA,thus provide some reference for English teaching in middle schools.The author attempts to explore the following research questions:(1)What is the overall situation of PCE?(2)What is the overall status of ELA?(3)What is the correlation between PCE and ELA in general? How relevant are the dimensions? In order to answer these questions,the author chose 250 senior students in all from a high school in Shangrao City,Jiangxi Province as reserach participants,and the datum were collected by means of both PCE and ELA questionnaires.Through SPSS 21.0 data statistical analysis,the author concludes as follows:(1)Generally speaking,the students are satisfied with their English classroom environment.Among the sub-components of PCE,the perception of "class order" holds the highest,followed by "teacher support",and then "student affinity",while the perception of "task orientation" is lower,and the perception of "cooperation" stays the lowest;(2)The overall situation of ELA is relatively optimistic.The average value of getting clear goals in the sub-component of ELA holds the highest,and the average value of working out learning plan keeps the lowest.(3)It shows that PCE correlates positively with ELA at the great significant level,and there are positive correlations between the components of PCE and these of ELA in various degrees.It's also found that among PCE components,the perceptions of “Studentaffinity" and "Task orientation" are predictors of ELA,which will have a significant positive impact on students' autonomous learning of English.Based on the above findings,the author puts forward the following suggestions to high school English teachers.First,teachers are expected to give students emotional support in order to build a harmonious classroom psychological atmosphere.Second,teacher are supported to provide students with opportunities for cooperative learning so as to build a bridge among peers.Third,in order to enhance students' sense of responsibility for autonomous learning,teachers are required to help students work out learning plans.Lastly,students are encouraged to take part in strategy training and improve the ability to use learning strategies.