Application Of Constructivist Theory To Oral English Teaching At Tertiary Level

The present study tries to combine constructivist theory with teaching practice to explore a new teaching method—constructivist-based teaching method. It aims at increasing college students'interest in oral English learning, promoting their active learning and improving their various learning abilities. Based on the literature review, a framework of the constructivist-based oral English teaching is designed. Two classes are involved in the study—one as the experimental group instructed with the constructivist-based oral English teaching method; the other as the control group taught with the traditional teaching method. Both pre-and post-oral tests are conducted in the two classes. The results of the independent T-test indicate that the students'progress of oral English in the experimental group is obviously higher than that in the control group. That is to say, the constructivist-based oral English teaching method can improve students'oral proficiency. Moreover, the results of the questionnaire survey indicate that the constructivist-based oral English teaching method can increase students'interest in oral English learning, promote their active learning and improve their various learning abilities.