A Comparative Study Of Multimedia And Traditional English Teaching Modes

With the development of technology, computers have found their way into the university instructional environment and have evolved as an important teaching tool. College English Curriculum Requirements which were drawn up in 2007 point out that the new college English teaching mode should be based on the computer or network so as to improve the traditional teaching mode which is dominated by the lecture, the printed words, and the blackboard.Based on the theories of Constructivism, the Multiple Intelligences Theory, the Affective Filter Hypothesis and Input Hypothesis, multimedia English teaching mode and traditional English teaching mode are analyzed in this study. Three instruments --questionnaire, experiment and interview -- are employed.The two teaching modes' differences, such as classroom activities, classroom atmosphere and interaction, are studied through comparison. With the assistance of SPSS 11.5, the scores of listening, writing and reading of both experimental group and control group are compared through t-test. One interview is also conducted aiming at adding some insights into the two teaching modes.The study shows that the two teaching modes have their own merits and demerits. Multimedia technology provides students with favorable English learning environment and helps to develop learners' both language ability and cultural capacity. However, problems still exist in terms of the perception of multimedia as well as the development of courseware. Nevertheless, traditional teaching mode also has its advantages. We should combine the advantages of the two teaching modes so as to improve the students' learning environment.