Abstract

Students’ participation plays an important role on study efficiency. Literally, participation refers to the degree of taking part in an activity or event. When it comes to study, it may refer to how deeply the students take part in the class activity or task.

In this study, the factors which influence the participation of high school students in English class will be explored, and suggestions on how to improve students’ participation in English class will be given to students and teachers to make students more involved in class activity so as to improve study efficiency. Nowadays, many people in society are calling for lowering students’ study burden. A good way is to improve study efficiency to shorten study time and lower their pressure.

In order to finish this study, questionnaire, interview and classroom observation will be adopted to help conduct this study. Questionnaires about this study will be given out to about 100 high school students in Dawan High School. Some students and teachers will be interviewed to further see the factors that influence the participation of high school students in English class. In order to be more persuasive, classroom observation will be conducted to see how the factors influence their participation.

The main findings are: (1) Students’ participation is mainly influenced by students themselves, teachers, class atmosphere, teaching methods and teaching contents. (2) The factors which influence students’ participation varies from person to person. (3) In order to improve students’ participation, interest in this class must be improved to draw their attention. (4) To create a relaxing class atmosphere will help to improve students’ participation. 

Key words: Class Participation; Study Efficiency; English Class in High School

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Research Significance-2

1.3 The Structure of This Thesis-2

2  Literature Review-4

2.1 The Definition of Students’ Participation-4

2.2 Theoretical Basis of Participation-5

2.3 Related Studies at Home and Abroad-5

2.3.1 Studies on Students’ Participation Abroad-6

2.3.2 Studies on Students’ participation at Home-6

3  Research Design-8

3.1 Research Questions-8

3.1.1 What are the problems on participation existing in high school students in English class and how to solve these problems?-8

3.1.2 What are the factors which influence the participation of high school students in English class? And how do they influence the participation?-8

3.2 Research Objects-8

3.3 Research Instruments-9

3.3.1 Questionnaires-9

3.3.2 Interview-9

3.3.3 Classroom Observation-10

3.4 Research Procedures-10

3.5 Data Collection and Analysis-10

4  Results and Discussions-11

4.1 The Analysis of the Questionnaire-11

4.2 The Analysis of the Interview-16

4.3 Factors Influencing High School Students’ Participation in English Class-17

4.3.1 Students’ Physical and Mental State-18

4.3.2 Teachers’ Personality, Professional Skills and Apearance-18

4.3.3 Teaching Contents-19

4.3.4 Teaching Methods-19

4.3.5 Class Atmosphere-20

4.4 Suggestions for Improving High School Students’ Participation in English Class-20

5  Conclusion-22

5.1 Major Findings-22

5.2 Limitations of This Research-22

5.3 Suggestions for Following Researchers-23

Appendix1: Questionnaire-24

Appendix 2: Outline of the Interview-27

Bibliography-28

Acknowledgements-30