Computer-Assisted English Vocabulary Learning Under The Guidance Of Constructivism And Multiple Intelligence Theory

In the past few years, Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) is the center of many linguistic researches. The researches have proved that computer has an effective influence on improving language learning. Therefore, as the important part of English learning, vocabulary learning must benefit from this new learning tool, which can provide a vivid language environment for English learning. Constructivism is widely used in English learning researches as theoretical support, and in recent years, Multiple Intellligence Theory starts to be used in some researches on English teaching in universities.Comparing with vocabulary learning in traditional method, the study finds the computer technology can effectively improve vocabulary learning. The author combines Constructivism and Multiple Intelligence Theory and analyzes the process of English vocabulary learning under the guidance of these two theories. The author chooses 160 non-English major sophomores as the subjects of the research. They are divided into two groups:Computer Group and Noncomputer Group. Before the experiment, a questionnaire must be conducted in order to investigate the situation of English learning. Both groups learn 40 English words in four weeks. After one-week study, the students must receive a vocabulary memory test. After four weeks, the students receive another test from pronunciation and usage of words. The data collected is analyzed by SPSS 17.0.The results show that after one-week effort, most students in both groups can remember the new words. In the final vocabulary test, the scores of Computer Group are higher than the scores of Noncomputer Group. Therefore, from the result, we can see CALL can improve vocabulary learning effectively. The suggested factors that explain such a result are that computer technology builds a combination of different information, such as dynamic image, sound, printed text, which can provide a vivid learning environment, accelerate and improve learners'understanding, so that it can improve English vocabulary learning.