An Experimental Research Into The Training Of English Learning Strategies For The Students In The Professional Vocational Schools

In the west, research into learning strategies started in 1970s. After more than twenty years of hard work, it reached its peak in 1990s. The training models of learning strategies developed from premature stage to mature, and perfect later. But in China, since its start in 1990s, it has undergone three phases. The first phase lasted from 1990 to 1995, during which our researchers put their emphasis on introducing learning theories to China. The second phase was from 1996 to 1999, which was thought to be a developmental period. The third one was after 2000. The research developed and expanded very quickly. Professor Wen Qiufang has been devoting herself to the research of English learning strategies in our country. She is worthy of the precursor in the field.In the book Experimental Research into English Learning Strategies, compiled by Wen Qiufang (2003), it is found that most of the subjects are adults , consisting of undergraduates and postgraduates. Students in the professional vocational schools have not been concerned about. This is not proportional to the current social environment. As a matter of fact, the low status, poor payment and the inferior resources of students lead to the unoptimistic prospect of students in the professional vocational schools. They lose interests in learning and are unwilling to use the helpful learning strategies. Therefore, training the students to make good use of the strategies is extremely urgent.The present research into the English learning strategies is based on many profound theories, such as cognitive psychological theory, constructivist learning theory, information processing theory, reflective theory and life-long learning theory. Supported with these theories, an experiment was conducted for two semesters, during which subjects were trained to use the appropriate strategies. The purpose was to foster their consciousness to use the strategies, to improve their ability to learn English and to develop the learners' autonomy.In order to obtain the first-hand data, quite a few means were adopted , for...