Abstract

Former studies have indicated that picture books can bring benefits when applied to education and can truly promote rapid development of primary students’ English learning. Picture story books might be a rich resource for EFL teachers to provide students with concrete contexts and to improve their productive skills. The application of English picture books in English lessons has attracted much attention from EFL researchers and teachers. However, despite numerous lectures, demonstration lessons and journal articles, many teachers still feel perplexed how picture books can be used in English class effectively. This study mainly investigated the effects of the new picture book reading model(3SR model) on students in Xietang Central Primary School, especially on their English speaking ability. A set of questionnaires were given to 49 English teachers in Jinhua to identify their ideas about picture books including the current situation of applying picture books in English class, and also given to the 29 students in Experimental Class to find out students’ ideas about picture books and their attitudes towards the 3SR model. What’ more, two tests were administered to 54 students form grade five and grade six, and their test grades were taken into consideration as a measure of their English speaking ability. The research revealed that the suggestion of using the new picture book reading model, which is made up of four steps: schema activating, storybook reading, story retelling and role play, is right. Students' oral English can be improved by it. Thus, we'd better apply this model in our teaching. Activities such as role-play and retelling are essential. Second, in choosing suitable picture books, we should pay more attention to the language, content, illustrations and colors. Last, the author emphasizes that we should not only refer to this type of picture book reading model, but also design new kinds of teaching model. We should include more activities such as “making picture books by students themselves” to help stimulate students’ creativity and imagination.The findings of the present study can be applied in helping students develop English speaking ability in the future.

Keywords: picture books, speaking ability, primary school students

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the Research   -1

1.2 Purpose and Significance of the Study-1

1.3 The Layout of the Thesis -2

2. Literature Review-3

2.1 Introduction to picture books-3

2.1.1 Picture books-3

2.1.2 Characteristics and advantages of picture books-3

2.2 Speaking ability-4

2.2.1 The definition of speaking ability-4

2.2.2 The importance of speaking ability-5

2.3 Picture book reading and English Speaking ability-5

3. Methodology-7

3.1 Research Questions-7

3.2 Participants-7

3.3 Instruments-7

3.3.1 Tests-7

3.3.2 Questionnaires-8

3.4 Procedures-9

3.5 The new picture book reading model-9

4. Results and discussion-11

4.1 The effect of the picture book reading model on student's speaking ability-11

4.2 The teachers’ and students' ideas about picture books and picture book reading-14

4.3 The students' attitudes towards the new picture book reading model-19

5. Conclusion and suggestions-22

3.1 Major findings and suggestions-22

3.2 Limitations and future expectations-22

References-24

Appendix-26