Investigation On Major Identity Of English Undergraduates In Agricultural Or Forestry Universities

Major identity is one of the important indexes to measure universities'major construction quality. However, in previous education researches, the research on English undergraduates'major identity is lacking. This study first investigated on the major identity condition of English undergraduates in Northwest A&F University, aiming to know about their major identity condition, explore the problems existing in the university's English major construction, and put forward suggestions to improve the university's English major construction and English undergraduates'major identity.Qualitative and quantitative research methods were adopted in this study. At first, on the basis of documentary study, major identity was defined as the recognition and acceptance of major group, major education and major resources during the major studying process, accompanying with positive emotions and attitudes as well as active behaviors; and major identity was categorized into five dimensions of major group, major value, major prospect, major teaching and major learning, besides, the English Undergraduates'Major Identity Questionnaire is made up. Then, this study investigated on all the English undergraduates in Northwest A&F University by use of the self-made Questionnaire, the collected data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5 on the aspects of descriptive statistic analysis and variance analysis. Results were:1.The overall major identity condition was identified. For its five dimensions, English undergraduates identified major group, major value, major teaching and major study, but disidentified major prospect. For the items, students disidentified major characteristics, intern and practical activities, teaching materials, class hours, books and so on.2.In the variance analysis on major identity, there was no significant variance between gender, grade, direction and nationality groups. But, there was significant variance between grade and direction groups on major value identity and major prospect identity.Focusing on the investigation results, this study analyzed the reasons on three aspects of society, university and student. Based on it, suggestions were put forward to the Northwest A&F University to take measure to improve English major construction on aspects of major planning, curriculum, teacher and teaching, as well as teaching resources.