On The Construction Of A Multi-dimensional "Learner-Centered" EFL Learning Environment

Currently learning environment design is an active research topic in the field of pedagogical psychology, whereas it is pitifully neglected in the field of EFL teaching. It is well known that any kind of learning takes place in a certain kind of environment. The influence of environmental elements on learning process should not be undervalued. As for EFL teaching and learning, environment does not only play the same important role as in learning other subjects, the uniqueness of language learning requires that more attention should be focused on the construction of an optimal EFL learning environment. Therefore the study on how to construct an environment in which the learners can master a foreign language efficiently is undoubtedly a project of great significance.Based on the theoretical support form the social constructivist learning theory, the researcher applied qualitative approach into this investigation of the current EFL learning environment. The instrument is questionnaire designed by researcher. The investigation covered 17 universities in Shandong Province, Zhejiang Province and Shanghai. Totally, 852 students and 116 teachers participated in this investigation. And the researcher also conducted face-to-face and internet interview with 39 experienced teachers and researchers for more faithful information about this project.The research presented a panoramic picture of current EFL learning environment for English majors in these universities. The research data showed that the current EFL learning environment has been greatly improved. But the problems still exist , such as low efficiency of resource application, deficiency of adaptation of the advanced theories into practice and neglect of the importance of social dimension of EFL learning environment. Therefore, the researcher offered some tentative suggestions on how to construct a favorable EFL learning environment. It should be physically, cognitively, psychologically and socially optimized, in which learners, teachers and learning resources, the three essential elements dynamically integrate into an effective learning system. Four basic principles are necessary for constructing a multi-dimensional "learner-centered" EFL learning environment:...