Application Of Scaffolding Teaching Theory In The Teaching Of English Majors Of Literature

Teaching Syllabus for English Majors of Colleges and Universities(2000) points out: “Literature class is the most important part in English major teaching in universities. Its purpose is to cultivate students’ abilities to read, to appreciate and to understand English literary works. Students can improve basic language skills and humanistic quality through reading and analyzing British and American literature.” In order to improve the efficiency of literature class, this paper applies scaffold theory to guide the teaching of English literature, make sure teachers’ role in literature class. Under the theory, teachers should build positive psychological support, learning method support, interaction support and evaluation support for students’ literature study.The method of experimental research is involved into the paper. The teaching experimental research lasts for a semester in a normal college of Heilongjiang province. The sample of the study is two classes of junior English majors. Teacher applies scaffold theory in experimental class, while applies traditional teaching methods in control class. After the experiment, through the comparative analysis on test scores of literature knowledge and the questionnaire about literature study, proof scaffold theory to be practical and influential in the literature class.The experimental results show that applying scaffold theory to literature classes can help students improve their interest in literature, increase the number of reading literary works and make good use of every class. Compared with traditional teaching methods, scaffold theory can help students improve results and promote knowledge level. So this paper has positive significance on English literature teaching.Of course, each theory applied to teaching practice needs to be explored and perfected continuously. This paper also has some defects and short comings because of time limitation and the shortage of teaching experience. But on the whole, it is optional to apply scaffold theory to literature class. After one-semester experiment, scaffold theory is helpful and useful for the literature teaching.