Abstract

Competitive activities are widely used in junior English teaching in China. The application of competitive activities efficiently improves students’ learning motivation and catches their attention. However, the form of competition is controversial. Many educators and scholars are disapproval of competitive activities. On the basis of the existing studies on linguistics, psycholinguistics and English teaching pedagogy, the thesis attempts to apply competitive activities with cooperation work to explore the effects of competitive activities in junior English teaching and how to efficiently make use of the competitive activities for cooperative learning. By analyzing the data about competitive activities from a local junior school, the study finds that the appropriate use of competitive activities can efficiently enhance students’ learning process, lubricate the English teaching, make full use of the teacher’s role as a facilitator, arouse the initiative of students, cultivate the teamwork spirit and promote students’ overall ability of language.

Keywords: competitive activities; cooperation; junior English teaching

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

I Introduction-1

1.1 The Background of the Study-1

1.2 The Significance of the Study-2

1.3 The Organization of the Thesis-2

II Literature Review-4

2.1 Competitive Activities-4

2.2 Competitive Activities in English Learning-5

2.3 Studies on Competitive Activities in English learning-5

2.4 Organization of Competitive Activities-6

III Research Methodology-8

3.1 Research Questions and Procedures-8

3.2 Participants-8

3.3 Data Collection-9

3.4 Classroom Observation-9

3.5 Questionnaire-9

3.6 Interview-10

IV Result and Analysis-11

4.1 Results and Analysis on the Questionnaire-11

4.1.1 Students’ Attitude towards Competitive Activities-11

4.1.2 Effects of Competitive Activities-12

4.2 Results and Analysis on Classroom Observation-12

4.3 Results and Analysis on Interviews-13

V Conclusion and Suggestion-14

5.1 Major Findings of the Study-14

5.2 Implications-14

5.3 Limitations and Recommendations for Further Research-16

References-17

Appendix-18