A Study Of Web-based English Learning

In the highly developed information age,the Internet provides us with abundant information resources and various service tools. As the net originates in English-speaking countries, most online information resources and information platforms are in English. As a result, English learners are provided by the Web with fast, abundant and authentic materials. Besides, the features in hypertext structure, multimedia capabilities and online communication have a great influence on education, especially on second and foreign language education. Thus how to make use of the Web to facilitate English teaching and learning has become a central interest for both learners and instructors.At present a great deal of research on Web-based English teaching and learning has been carried out home and abroad. Many teachers and scholars have made various attempts to use the Web to supplement English teaching and learning. The results show that the Web can really provide a student-centered learning environment and promote English learning and teaching to some extent. However, we may find that problems and challenges still exist among students and teachers in using the Web to enhance English teaching and learning. What are the learning results that can be obtained by using the Web in FLT? What are the advantages and disadvantages of WBET (Web-based English teaching and learning) in comparison with the traditional language classroom? How do students and teachers make use of the Web? Accordingly, it is necessary to conduct a systematic and complete survey in order to investigate the current use of the net among students. Only when we understand the current situations, the problems, challenges and the actual results of applying the Web in language teaching can we make more effective use of the Web. On the basis of the former relevant studies on Web-based English teaching and learning home and abroad, the author did a small scale survey on the students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, The instruments employed in this survey include a written questionnaire for students .The participants are selected randomly. The findings of the survey reveal that the students have affirmative attitudes towards WBET; students are highly motivated by the net; the use of the Internet may promote learners' language skills. However, the findings also show that problems and challenges still exist among students and the current use of the Web still needs improvement. As for students, the problems include uncertain online learning goals, improper learning methods, irregular learning time and deficient online learning skills.By analyzing the investigation and pedagogical rationale, the author puts forward some suggestions on how to use the Web to facilitate language teaching and learning effectively. Students should establish learning goals and adopt the self-construction learning method and cooperative learning mode. Besides, the author advances some implications in web-based language learning. It provides some steps for the students to improve their effective utilization of internet resources. In summary, the thesis mainly includes four parts: significance and the origin of the study, background knowledge of using the Web and FLT, a survey and analysis on the current use of Web-based English teaching and learning among students and teachers, and the considerations and suggestions on how to use the Web effectively to facilitate English teaching and learning.