| Target language input and output are two crucial stages in foreign language teaching and learning and they would influence the teaching effect directly. Based on Krashen's Input Hypothesis and Swain's Output Hypothesis, a lot of scholars made valuable researches in this aspect. In China, although quite a few researches on input and output have been undertaken, most of them focus on the importance of input and output in English learning. Few studies are about how to provide a more effective learning environment for students'input and output in Chinese EFL context.With the rapid development of information technology and telecommunications, NET (network English teaching) as a new way of instruction is emphasized increasingly. The point that we should try to take full advantage of modern teaching means including network to promote English teaching has been stressed specially in the College English Syllabus newly issued by the State Education Ministry. In this thesis, NET in Chinese context refers to English teaching adopting network technology as well as traditional classroom instruction because face-to-face instruction could not be completely discarded according to the present situation. This thesis attempts to investigate whether NET could optimize students'input and output and thus improve their English studying in Chinese milieu.The subjects in this study are the non-English majors of Grade 2004 from Computer Science and Technology major of Information Engineering College in Xiangtan University and those of Grade 2005 from Software College, Computer and Communication College in Hunan University. The study takes the form of questionnaire and interview. Quantitative data was collected and analyzed with SPSS 11.5 software. The results revealed that generally network group outperformed traditional group in input qualitatively and quantitatively; however, with regard to interactive input, the whole situation is not optimistic and there exists no significant difference between the two groups. Meanwhile the results indicated that the amount of output is very limited in both groups and there is no significant difference between them. From the students'attitude towards input and output, we can find that they attach more importance to input than output, and generally the quantity of input is larger than that of output.As far as students'attitude towards the course is concerned, we can see that subjects in NET environment are more satisfied with the course than those in traditional English teaching environment. According to the subjects, the reformed teaching mode could provide more useful and clearer information and it can enable the learners to take an active role in the learning process. They thought that the course was organized more systematically and scientifically and the content of the course was taught more comprehensively in NET environment.As for the students'specific evaluation of NET, they are optimistic to it and their attitudes are generally positive. The results of quantitative and qualitative studies show that network English teaching has such advantages as developing students'ability of self-studying, increasing students'interest of English learning, providing a free learning space for the students, and so on. As every coin has two sides, NET also has some disadvantages, such as the imperfectness of the system, students'lack of self-control, short of interaction, etc. A very serious problem is that students felt that they could hardly practice oral English in NET environment. All these led to limited output of the subjects.In a word, NET might be an effective way to enhance students'input and output and to improve their English studying provided that it could be advanced and perfected. And we should notice that in present Chinese EFL context, network teaching should be combined with traditional face-to-face instruction for gradual and stable development. We look forward to more researches on NET in Chinese context, especially on how to enhance students'output ability in NET environment.
|
PDF Full Text Request