Abstract

Cooperative learning came to China in 1980s. As an effective teaching method, it attracted a lot of teachers and scholars. However, cooperative learning is still new in China. The research on how to apply cooperative learning in English teaching, especially in junior middle school English teaching is limited. In order to have a deep understanding of current English teaching situation and existing problems in junior middle school, the author carried out a research in a middle school.

In the study, the main research methods include literature review, interview method, questionnaire method and observation method. In the literature review part, the author searched many relevant professional books and articles. And in the experiment, the author used three research methods to get ample data for later analysis.

The author carried out the experiment in Xiao Cao’e Middle School in Yu Yao. The subjects covered from Grade 1 to Grade 3, including 280 students and 12 English teachers. From the data, the author found lots of problems existing in cooperative learning in junior middle school English classes, such as low efficiency, uneven distribution of grouping, low participation of some students, misunderstanding and so on. The author listed three main problems and put forward corresponding solutions from the aspect of grouping, task design and others. 

In the study, a detailed introduction of cooperative learning will be given at first, including the definition and development. In the development part, both China and abroad will be involved. In the next part, the current situation of education (in terms of students and school facilities and resources) in junior middle school will be introduced. Next part is about the basic theories. They are the theory of hierarchy needs of Maslow, the cognitive development theory of Piaget and motivation theory. Chapter three is the process of the whole experiment and chapter four is data analysis. Then the last part is conclusion.

Keywords: cooperative learning; English teaching; junior middle school; current situation; problems

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Chapter One    Introduction-1

Chapter Two    Literature Review-2

2.1 Cooperative Learning-2

2.1.1 The Definition of Cooperative Learning-2

2.1.2 The Development of Cooperative Leaning-2

2.1.2.1 The Development Abroad-2

2.1.2.2 The Development in China-3

2.2 Current Situation of Junior Middle School-3

2.2.1 The Features of Students-3

2.2.2 The Facilities and Resources in Junior Middle School-4

2.3 Theoretical Basis-4

2.3.1 The Theory of Hierarchy Needs of Maslow-4

2.3.2 The Cognitive Development Theory of Piaget-4

2.3.3 Motivation Theory-5

Chapter Three    Research-6

3.1 Subjects-6

3.2 Instruments-6

3.2.1 Questionnaire-6

3.2.2 Interview-6

3.2.3 Class Observation-7

3.3 Experimental Procedure-7

3.3.1 Subjects Chosen-7

3.3.2 The Details of Questionnaire -7

3.3.3 The Details of Interview -7

3.3.4 The Details of Class Observation -7

Chapter Four   Data Analysis and Discussion-11

4.1 Questionnaire Data Analysis-11

4.1.1 Questionnaire for Students-11

4.1.2 Questionnaire for Teachers-11

4.2 Interview Data Analysis-11

4.3 Class Observation Data Analysis-12

4.4 Discussion-12

4.4.1 Grouping-12

4.4.2 Task Design-12

4.4.3 Efficiency of Cooperative Learning-13

Chapter Five   Conclusion-14

References-15

Appendix 1-16

Appendix 2-20