On The Development Of Tutorial System In Oxford University Since 19^th Century

The tutorial system of Oxford University is not only the core and the basis of the undergraduate teaching, but also the key factor of its outstanding teaching quality. As the most prominent contribution to world higher education of the Oxford University, the tutorial system has been praised as "gem of Oxford crown". The historical evolution of the Oxford tutorial system has witnessed the hard course of Oxford which meeting the challenge and the course of traditional university idea which making progress step by step and pursuing the perfect combination of tradition with modern. To study the historical development of Oxford tutorial system not only help to deepen the understanding of English university collegiate and tutorial system, enrich the study of English higher education history, but also has some practical significance in building and improving our undergraduate tutorial system, enhancing the quality of undergraduate teaching.According to the vocational and teaching character of tutorial system which in different periods, the development course of Oxford tutorial system can be divided into four stages. The first stage begins from test reformation in 1800 to the promulgation of the "Act of Oxford" in 1854. It is the formation stage of the Oxford tutorial system. During the period, tutor's vocational status had been established. Through the three tutors'teaching practice of Oriel College, especially the teaching reformation of Newman, the Oxford University had formed the tutor teaching pattern which center on the people. The second period is from 1854 to the eruption of the First World War. During this period, the vocation of Oxford University tutor tended towards an academic profession. The tutors had paid more attention to science research. They had undertaken the teacher's role, and at the same, also undertaken the university research worker's role. Tutor had become an academic vocation. The third period is from the First World War to 1970's. It is consolidate and strengthen period. At the particular period, the tutorial system had been adjusted according to the challenge of the war, fluctuation of the student and economical input. During this period, the status of Oxford tutorial system had been further solidified. The fourth period has begun since 1970's. The tutorial system of Oxford has presented pluralistic development tendency. In the hard pressure of popularization of higher education, tensing of economic resources and spread of learning area, the tutorial system has present more flexibility and diversition.The development of the tutorial system of Oxford University since nineteenth century has been effected by English Reformation, development of economy, evolution of gentleman education idea, popularization of higher education, division and specialization of discipline, development of collegiate. This course has present slow, advance gradually and stable features. The tutorial system is the main reflect of Oxford liberal education tradition. It contain the idea of paying close attention to students'individual development, training the students to think by themselves and having the courage to inquiry by the cooperation and reciprocal between the students and tutors. The tutorial system of Oxford University have spread in other English, American, German and Chinese universities. In spite of few universities could put the Oxford tutorial system into effect, but the idea of it has been accepted by most countries. The development of the Oxford tutorial system will also provide useful enlightenment for our undergraduate tutorial system reform.