A Research On The Application Of Blended Learning Approach In College English Learning

Today, with the development of technology, the combination of E-learning(Electronic Learning) and traditional classroom learning, namely Blended Learning(BL), arouses scholars' attention from all over the world. Nevertheless, there are not many researches on Blended Learning about its application in college English learning field. In this thesis, the author conducted a research on the current application of BL in college English learning with the emphasis on the factors of learning environment, subjects of education etc. At last, the author tried to give pedagogical implications and suggestions for teaching and learning based on the findings of the research.Based on the theoretical foundation in the literature review, a questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted in Chengdu University of Technology in order to answer the research questions: 1) How is the condition of the BL environment provided for English learning in the university? 2) What is the college English learners' attitude towards BL? 3) What are students' opinions of the role that their English teachers play in BL? 4) Is there any significant difference among different levels of students about the factors that affect the application of BL?The participants of the research include 198 students and 4 English teachers from advanced classes, normal classes and postgraduate classes. The data(valid data) collected from 171 students were analyzed by Statistical Package and Service Solutions(SPSS). The author used the following analytical methods: firstly, the validity of all the data were checked by the Cronbach's Alpha and by means of Factor Analysis; secondly, Descriptive Analysis and Percentage Analysis were used to analyze each factor; third, Variance Analysis was employed to investigate the significant difference of the affecting factors among classes from different levels.The findings are: 1) The condition of the blended learning environment provided for English learning by the university is not good enough: the number of the computers is not adequate and the quality of the learning resources is not satisfactory. 2) Most students have positive attitude towards BL in English learning, but there is still room for improvement. 3) Students don't think highly of the role that English teachers play in the blended English courses. 4) Out of all the factors that affect the application of BL in the research, only students' opinions of English teachers' role is significantly different among 3 levels of classes; compared with the advanced classes and the postgraduate classes, the normal classes are less monitored and cared by their English teachers in BL.Finally, based on the findings of this research, the author gave some suggestions for English teaching and learning in the blended learning environment: 1) More efforts should be made to improve the quality and quantity of computers and learning resources for blended English learning on the campus. 2) English teachers should enhance the monitoring role in BL and especially they should make extra efforts to monitor the students from the normal classes. 3) English learners' active role of learning should be stimulated in BL. 4) English learners' positive attitude towards BL should be cultivated and maintained in order to create a good learning atmosphere.