The Application Of Constructivism Theory In English Writing Teaching In Senior High School

Listening, speaking, reading and writing are an organic integration. At present, English writing teaching in high schools is often ignored, whose negative side should draw our attention. The way to alter this situation is to emphasize the use of English. The objective of reform of English writing teaching is to gain better cost efficient. Backed by constructivism theory, this paper attempts to explore writing teaching on the basis of writing practice among students of senior three in Wuhan Middle School.Firstly, the paper analyzes the current situation of English writing teaching in high schools, and points out that the neglect, inappropriate methods are the main reasons for student's over attention to the correctness of grammar and over consideration before writing. The author also puts forward the view of the necessity of reforming writing teaching in high schools.Secondly, the paper reviews the origin and connotation of constructivism theory and its core thought: student-centered, emphasizing student's active exploration and discovery of knowledge, and self understanding the meaning of knowledge acquisition. The meaning and methodology of learning are addressed as well. The thought, pattern, method, and constructivism-based teaching environment are introduced.Thirdly, the author analyzes the relation between constructivism and English writing practice. Then, in illustration to the deficiency of traditional teaching methodology, the paper proposes new English teaching strategies with the combination of constructivism and the reality of senior high school. The creation of situation, co-operative learning, various means of reviews are all the emphases of the strategies. A teaching plan is provided for operation and follow-up in the real world.In order to prove constructivism's effect upon real teaching, the author carriesout an experiment of writing teaching by means of empirical study. The "writing group" follows the procedures of "getting familiar with requirements - group discussion - independent writing - fellow exchanging - teacher reviewing". Then, SPSS 11.0 for Windows is employed to make T comparison between experiment class and the control one. The results show that the effect of the above strategies is conspicuous.Finally, we give some following suggestions as to the ways of improving the English writing teaching in high schools based on the effects of constructivism theory on English writing :l)giving students more chances to communicate and cooperate; 2)teaching students how to learn; 3)reforming and bringing forth new ideas of English teaching.