Cyber-Based Efl Teaching

The Ministry of Education launched teaching-reform of college English in 2004, and issued a document in 2007 to comprehensively advance the new mode of cyber-based college English teaching. Cyber technology has been now widely applied in college English teaching in China. Based on the investigation and analysis of the effectiveness of cyber-based teaching activities by College English teachers in nine various universities of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, this thesis presents the findings which indicate that a number of college English teachers merely play a passive role to apply cyber technology in English teaching. Some of them failed to change their teaching philosophy with the involvement of computer or network; and there is little proper and effective instructional design before or during their cyber-based teaching activities. This thesis attempts to explore the design principles of cyber-based college English teaching and learning activities, and to provide some effective and practical cases for in-class and extra-curricular cyber-based language applying activities on the basis of relevant learning theories such as constructivism, behaviorism, and especially on the input and output hypothesis, emotional filtration hypothesis in second language acquisition theory.Firstly, the thesis conducts a qualitative analysis of effectiveness of applying computer or network in college English teaching through ways of questionnaire to the teachers and students, interview with teachers and students, classroom observation and seminars to research into the principles for cyber-based college English teaching design.Secondly, the thesis attempts to provide various design cases of cyber-based in-class and extra-curricular language applying activities including English listening-speaking and integrated classroom teaching of college English, based on theoretical research of constructivism, behaviorism, input and output hypothesis, emotional filtration hypothesis etc.Finally, the thesis reaches conclusion based on the above mentioned investigation, theoretical analysis and case study: Cyber technology can be effectively integrated into foreign language teaching and practically promote college English teaching only when the teachers grasp relevant cyber technology, and apply proper technology in conformity with teaching purposes. With proper and effective teaching design, and constantly self-reflection by teachers, technology could be an organic part of the teaching environment and teaching structure, to meet the requirements of teaching, to fulfill teaching purposes and thus improve the quality of college English teaching and learning.