Abstract

Cooperative learning strategy has developed rapidly since the beginning of 1970s in the United States. Having received much attention from many countries in the world, now it becomes one of the most successful examples in teaching reform.  As a result, cooperative learning strategy is also widely used in China, which has become one of the important ways to change the traditional teaching pattern, to improve the efficiency of teaching, to liven up classroom atmosphere, and to mobilize the enthusiasm of the students to learn English. This paper did an investigation into the application of cooperative learning strategy in five English classes of Grade 9 in Mingda Middle School, based on the previous research on the theory and use of cooperative learning strategy. It aims to investigate whether teachers can improve teaching efficiency by using cooperative learning strategies in English class teaching, and whether cooperative learning strategy has practical significance for the improvement of English class teaching. The researcher takes the application of cooperative learning strategy of Chinese and foreign educators as theoretical basis, adopting the ways of lectures, interviews and questionnaire to collect data for analyzing and discussing teachers and students’ different understandings about cooperative learning strategy , and the frequency of using cooperative learning strategy so as to inspire the teachers’ teaching practice in Middle School. Through studying the questions above, here are some suggestions for teacher’s teaching activities:

First, middle school teachers should follow appropriate principles to improve the efficiency of teaching; second, the design of cooperative learning strategy must be targeted; third, the application of cooperative learning strategy should be flexible and moderate; and fourth, pay attention to combination with other teaching methods, and use the cooperative learning strategy reasonably.

Key words: cooperative learning strategy; Investigation; Middle School English

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 Purpose of the research-1

1.2 Significance of the research-1

1.3 A brief introduction of the present research-2

2 Literature review-3

2.1 Definition of the Cooperative Learning Strategy-3

2.2 Proposal and development of the Cooperative Learning Strategy-4

2.2.1 Theoretical foundations of the study-4

2.2.2 Basic elements of the Cooperative Learning Strategy-8

2.3 Instructions of the Cooperative Learning Strategy-8

3 Methodology-10

3.1 Research subjects-10

3.2 Research questions-10

3.3 Research instruments-11

3.3.1 Questionnaires-11

3.3.2 Interview-12

3.3.3 Class observation-12

3.4 Data collection-12

4 Results and discussion-13

4.1 Results-13

4.1.1 Teachers’ attitudes-13

4.1.2 Frequency-15

4.1.3 Students’ attitudes-17

4.2 Discussion-19

4.2.1 Effects-19

4.2.2 Advantages and disadvantages-19

4.2.3 Suggestions from teachers about effective use of cooperative learning strategies-21

5 Conclusion-22

5.1 Major findings-22

5.2 Pedagogical implications-22

5.3 Suggestions to future researches-23

References-25

Appendix I-26

Appendix II-28