Creating A Positive Environment For The English Class From The Perspective Of Group Dynamics

The purpose of the thesis is to investigate how to apply group dynamics in creating a positive environment for English class. Plenty of researches on class environment have been carried out rigorously. Strong links between class environment and learning attitude, efficacy and outcomes have also been previously found. In view of the importance of class environment, the author determined to probe into how to create a supportive environment.Group dynamics is a discipline giving deep insights into the group with the purpose of building successful groups. The classroom environment subsumes a number of variables also discussed in group dynamics-based approaches (e.g. cohesiveness, satisfaction, leadership style, classroom organization). Therefore, the author decided to use group dynamics in creating a positive environment for English class. According to group dynamics, owing to strangeness or newness, there will be uncertainty and tension during the formation of a group, which calls for ice-breakers. Second, group norms should be discussed and set by group members in order to internalize the norms and make the norms well obeyed. Third, inter-relations are important in that they greatly affect how cohesive a group is and how positive a group's climate is. Therefore, opportunities should be created to facilitate interaction. Based on the above three arguments, the author designed and organized an ice-breaker called "My Hometown", "Rule setting", "Learn about me" at the very beginning of the first semester of high school. Furthermore, group work including group discussion, role play and project is widely employed during the whole semester.The WIHIC questionnaire, observation, interview and diary were used to collect research data. Throughout a semester's research, it is demonstrated that "My Hometown", "Rule setting", "Learn about me", and group work including group discussion, role play and project work well in creating a positive environment for English class.