Application Of Whole Language Teaching Theory To Middle School English Writing

Whole language approach is not a concrete teaching approach, but an educational philosophy, which has brought about a profound effect on education paradigm in the English-speaking countries. Some reflections are made about its application to EFL teaching. The paper discusses a new approach of English writing teaching based on the whole language approach. The approach makes it possible for students to improve language skills by the integration of English learning skills-listening, speaking, reading and writing through the language teaching methods. Experiments using tests and surveys prove that the writing approach on the basis of whole language theory is feasible and effective. The research on English writing instruction adopts the whole language approach to enhance students'writing motivation, improve the students'communicative competence in a foreign language and the pivotal qualities in active participation, innovation, initiative, and independent decision-making for English learning.The whole paper can be divided into the following parts:The first chapter comments on the current situation of English writing teaching and introduces the significance, characteristics and innovation of the thesis.The second chapter generalizes and analyzes the history, core concept, principles of the whole language approach. It explains the term "whole language", its characterizations and principles.The third chapter covers the teaching goals of writing teaching in Curriculum Criterion in a senior high school and actuality and deficiency of English writing.Chapter Four expounds the application of Whole Language Teaching Theory to middle school English writing, including the theoretical basis of writing approach, writing strategies, teaching design, feedback and evaluation.Chapter Five dwells on the experiment of the writing approach based on whole language and makes quantitative analysis and comparisons of instruction of the writing approach based on whole language and traditional writing teaching. Furthermore, this chapter validates the feasibility and efficacy of the writing approach based on whole language.Chapter Six draws a conclusion from the experiment and presents four important factors while applying Whole Language Teaching Theory to middle school English writing.