Studies On Application Of Task-Based Language Teaching In Teaching English Vocabulary In Junior Middle School

People are increasingly aware of the importance of language with the development of society. Many linguists pointed the importance of vocabulary teaching. Vocabulary learning is a crucial part of language learning. But for Chinese students, especially students in junior middle school, vocabulary learning is considered as a monotonous and burdensome thing. Many students regard “reciting words” as a precise task of English learning. They spend a great deal of time in memorizing words time and time again. However, the effect proves to be disappointing. They sometimes know the spelling of words but forget the Chinese meaning. Sometimes, they keep the spelling and meaning of words in mind but they have no idea about how to use words in a proper way. These situations possibly lead that students give up learning English or think learning English as a mechanical and monotonous work. Facing challenges of vocabulary teaching, many scholars do new exploration of vocabulary teaching. However, the ultimate goal of vocabulary learning has no great change as expected because of varieties of reasons like difficulties of implement and teacher’s fixed stereotype of vocabulary learning which states words’ pronunciation, Chinese meaning, and make some example sentences are the all of vocabulary teaching. Besides, through the interview done by the author, it can be found that most of the teachers are worried about paying too much time and energy may influence accomplishment of teaching plans. Because of importance of vocabulary teaching in English teaching process, it is critical to explore vocabulary teaching methods which are more effective and more convenient to put into practice. Task-based Language Teaching has been used in English teaching practice and it receives good evaluation in teachers and students. But Task-based Language Teaching is mainly applied in English teaching of listening and reading parts while it is seldom used in vocabulary teaching.The thesis aims to explore the effect of applying Task-based Language Teaching into vocabulary teaching in junior middle school. The author chooses two classes of Pu Yang No.10 Middle School. One of the classes is experimental class and the other one is control class. Before the experiment beginning, the author finds that the two classes have similar English level and vocabulary level. The author applies task-based vocabulary teaching in the experimental class while using the method in the control class that students read new words after the teacher, and then the teacher explain the meaning of new words in Chinese and followed by an example sentence. And this way of teaching vocabulary is used by most of the teachers in this school to teach vocabulary. After a semester of different teaching, the author finds that students of experimental class have significant difference between students of control class in vocabulary level. What’s more, vocabulary level of experimental class is higher than those of control class. And then the author investigates the students of both experimental class and control class by questionnaires to find out students’ attitude toward task-based vocabulary teaching. The results is that they think task-based vocabulary teaching make the vocabulary learning have more fun. Besides, it will be helpful to activate their interest of English learning. What’s more, the author also interviews some representative teachers of that school to find out their opinions and suggestions of task-based vocabulary teaching. And it can be found that most of teachers are in favor of applying Task-based Language Teaching into English vocabulary teaching. But they are also worried about too much energy paid, bad discipline and other problems. At the same time, teachers give their understanding and suggestions of task-based vocabulary teaching.From the study of the author, it can be concluded that applying Task-based Language Teaching into English vocabulary teaching is effective. Task-based vocabulary teaching can improve students’ learning interest and vocabulary using ability. And it is welcomed among most of teachers and students.At the end of the thesis, the author puts forward limitations of the study, and gives some suggestions on further study.