Constructivism Theory & Its Application In English Vocabulary Teaching And Learning In Junior High School

Vocabulary learning is one of the most important components in learning a foreign language. In 2001, the Standard of English Curriculum formulated by the Ministry of Education set a higher requirement for junior high school students. They are required to have a vocabulary of 2,000 words upon graduation. The increase of vocabulary has imposed a new challenge on Chinese junior high school students. Therefore, it is necessary to explore what learning strategies can help students learn English vocabulary more effectively.Based on constructivist theory, the thesis expounds some vocabulary learning strategies that are suitable for junior high school students, such as association memorizing strategies, method of guessing from context and communicative strategy, etc. It also makes an analysis of some vocabulary teaching principles from constructivist perspective.By conducting an experiment which includes questionnaires, interviews and tests, the author proves the effectiveness of using the strategies mentioned above in vocabulary instruction. In conclusion, the author argues that only by improving teaching methods and by equipping students with the necessary strategies can the teachers and students achieve the goal of a better vocabulary acquisition.