A Study On The Conversion Of English Low-achievers In Junior Middle Schools Based On The Theory Of "Zone Of Proximal Development"

Based on Vygotsky’s theory,“Zone of Proximal Development”(ZPD), this papermainly adopts the investigation(questionnaire and interview) method, literature researchmethod, statistical analysis method, comparative method and action research method,analyzes how to develop English learning abilities of low-achievers in junior middleschool according to their English learning characteristics, so as to help low-achievers getsuccessive improvement and make a successful conversion in their zones of proximaldevelopment of English learning. This paper aims at solving these questions:(1) What arethe current situation and main causing factors of English low-achievers in junior middleschool?(2) How to understand the theory of ZPD?(3) How can teachers employ thetheory of ZPD to help English low-achievers go through their ZPD and learn effectively?This thesis consists of5chapters. The first chapter is a general introduction,including the research background, the starting point and purpose of this thesis, and themain research questions. The second chapter is the theoretical basis and literature review,including the existing views on “low-achievers” and Vygotsky’s theory of “Zone ofProximal Development”(ZPD). The third chapter is the description of an investigation onthe current situation and conversion result of English low-achievers. By contrasting theconversion results of the experimental group of English low-achievers with thenon-experimental group of low-achievers, it can come to a conclusion of the effectivenessof the educational intervention methods. The fourth chapter is some suggestions on howto help English low-achievers go through their ZPD. The fifth chapter is the conclusionchapter.As the researches on low-achievers conversion are lack of innovation both at homeand abroad, this paper takes the theory of ZPD as the breakthrough point afterinvestigating the current situation and causing factors of English low-achievers. On thebasis of the empirical analysis, it suggests to first identify the low-achiever’s zone ofproximal development and then to help them go through their ZPD with a series ofeducational interventions, which possesses a certain value of innovation.