Research On The Application Of Problem-based Learning Teaching Method In Junior High School English Reading Teaching

The overall goal that The English Curriculum Standard for Compulsory Education(2011 Edition)puts forward for Junior High School is that students’ basic English competence and comprehensive language competence should be fostered.English reading is one of crucial language skills,and it is the foundation of language competence development.Usually,reading is the focus and core of English teaching.A lot of studies show that Problem-based Learning(PBL)is a teaching method which is problem-centered,students-centered,cooperation-centered.PBL can cultivate students’ cooperative ability,improve their achievements and help to cultivate their reading strategies by discovering problems,analyzing problems and solving problems.In view of PBL’s advantages,based on constructivism theory,cooperative learning theory and humanistic theory,this study intends to explore the effectiveness of PBL in junior high school English reading by comparing students’ English reading achievements and reading strategies,and investigating students’ perceptions about PBL.The subjects are two intact classes in junior one from Lanzhou 45 th Middle School.There are 49 students in each class.And one is used as experimental class and the other as control class randomly.The experiment lasts for four months.PBL is used in the experimental class and Lecture-based Learning(LBL)is used in the control class.Instruments used in this study include test,questionnaire and interview.Tests and questionnaire I are used to test students’ English reading achievements and English reading strategies.In addition,questionnaire II and interview are used to test students’ perceptions about PBL teaching method.In addition,SPSS 24.0 is used to analyze all the collected data.This study shows that by applying PBL,students’ reading achievements can be improved to some extent.In addition,with the help of PBL,students have a good grasp of English reading strategies.Furthermore,compared with LBL,students have more opportunities to express their views.Therefore,they prefer PBL teaching method.This study shows certain implications for English reading teaching.Firstly,PBL teaching method proposes higher demand for teachers.Teachers should not only strengthen the relevant theories learning,but also expand their knowledge.Secondly,in the process of implementing PBL,teachers need to create a real learning situation for students.Learning is carried in real situation,so students’ learning interest can be stimulated greatly.Thirdly,by applying PBL teaching method,teachers play the role of promoters,organizers and guiders.Teachers pay more attention to the dominant role of students.Therefore,it is feasible and valuable to apply PBL into English reading.