An Empirical Study Of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning In Oral English Classes

It is known to all that English is the most popular language in the world. As the development of the globalization, English becomes more and more important and useful for communication all over the world. The popularity of English language in China is stimulated with China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the successful bid to host the Olympic Games in the year 2008. However, according to the observation in the language teaching, most students have experienced a transformation from"passionate"to"indifferent"in oral English learning. At the beginning of the learning, most students are quite interested in oral practice, as time goes by,they gradually decrease their interest in it and seldom speak out of , even in class. The main reason for this transformation is both the English teaching method and the learning atmosphere, which result in students not having enough time to practice and communicate collaboratively in class and lacking the real communicative atmosphere out of class. Therefore, language teachers are expected to find new methods to help students improve their oral English skills. Moreover, with the development of science and technology, English teachers are increasingly challenged to integrate new technology with new methods to facilitate oral English teaching and develop students'oral competence. This thesis, based on the theoretical research and teaching experiment, investigates how computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) meets this challenge, proves that this method is really practical and useful to develop students'oral English ability.In the study, an experiment, using the CSCL method to facilitate the teaching in non-English majors'oral class, was carried out in two classes from September 2006 to January 2007. This study addresses the following hypothesis regarding the use of CSCL in oral English classes:1 .Students will make much progress in their oral English through CSCL.2. Students will make genuine oral communication in CSCL environment.3. Students will have more engagement and more and better oral production in CSCL environment.4. Students will be more motivated and autonomous to speak in CSCL environment.5. The oral classes are more learner-centered in CSCL environment. Data from examination scores, questionnaires and interviews are employed in the study. Results indicate a significant difference between outcomes of the experimental class and the control class. The study suggests that using CSCL to facilitate the learning and teaching in oral English classes leads to better performance of students using oral English. It also find that the method can promote students'autonomy, build up students'confidence and arouse students'interest in practice oral English. The results of the questionnaires and interviews used in the study show that CSCL is more learner-centered and makes students collaborating more actively. Brief suggestions are also given on oral class teaching methods and potential for further study.