An Application Of Schema Theory In Problem-solving Strategies Of English Reading Comprehension In Middle School

With the rapid alteration of English education situation,English reading has been an indispensable part in English learning.On the basis of the reformed requirements of English Curricular Standards in the Phase of Compulsory Education in 2001,the scores of English Comprehension take a large proportion in English examination of middle schools.The characteristics of reading comprehension are multiple and complicated.Therefore,reading comprehension becomes a crucial part in English studying.Various reading materials are presented for teachers and students in teaching and studying.On account of limited time and inadequate experience,a large number of learning obstacles decrease students' reading effectiveness in dealing with English reading comprehension problems of exams and tests.If there are few efficient methods,students would have little interest and perseverance in learning reading comprehension.The notion of Schema Theory originates from German philosopher Kant in 1871 and then it is used in psychology by English psychologist Bartlett in 1932.Schema Theory is based on individual experience that forms a knowledge network in human brain systematically.Schema Theory is a stratified and dynamic organization,which means can stimulate existing knowledge and previous experience through reconstruction and cognition in mind.This thesis focuses on a combination of Schema Theory and English reading comprehension.The application of Schema Theory connects existing knowledge with previous experience.Three forms of Schema Theory are as follows: Language Schema Theory,Form Schema Theory and Content Schema Theory.Besides,systematic analysis methods are performed progressively through studying problem-solving strategies(which includes questions prediction,key words comprehension and recapitulative summary).In the practical process of English reading comprehension,effective application of Schema Theory are analyzed and verified in this experiment.Then the results can be presented at the end of this experiment as well.In the process of studying experiments,this thesis takes 82 selected students from Class One and Class Two of Grade Eight in Weichuan Middle School as subjects.The taken methods in this experiment are questionnaires,interviews,test evaluations(which include pre-test,mid-test and post-test),comparison and contrast in SPSS20.0.The purpose is to find effective problem-solving strategies in English reading comprehension of middle school,to save time in problem-solving of reading comprehension,to increase students' reading interest in English reading and to improve examination scores of students in reading comprehension part.This thesis puts forward two hypotheses:1.The application of Schema Theory in English reading comprehension of middle schools can arouse reading interest of students with strengthening divergent thinking,and stimulate students' motivations and cognition in learning.2.The application of Schema Theory in English reading comprehension of middle schools achieves a relative effectiveness in enhancing problem-solving strategies of English reading comprehension,which can improve students' reading abilities and emotions recognition.Through analyzing results and data from SPSS 20.0 and summarizing the answers from interviewed teachers,the author proves these hypotheses.Results show that experimental class students are more confident and they get more interest in English reading,besides,their English reading abilities have improved a lot.The new teaching method can arouse students' reading interest and help students find appropriate problem-solving strategies in reading.This new method can consummate English reading teaching patterns as well as enrich the application researches in reading teaching.However,there are still some limitations in this research,for example,subjects are only chosen from two classes and the number of all subjects is rather small.These limitations influence universality of the research.Therefore,this teaching method needs some adjustments according to different situations.Considering the limitations of this research may exist in the future teaching,the author expounds some suggestions for the future researchers.Chapter One is an introduction of background information and environment in this research.This part puts forward questions,methods,significance and procedures of the application of Schema Theory.Chapter Two is literature review,which includes detailed situations and development of application at home and abroad.All kinds of researches from foreign scholars and Chinese scholars who have made great contribution to the society can be found here.Chapter Three introduces theoretical foundation about detailed materials of Schema Theory and reading strategies.These relevant information includes identification,functions,forms and applications of Schema Theory in reading strategies.Significance and feasibility in the application of Schema Theory are emphasized in this part.Chapter Four is research design.It concludes questionnaires,interviews,a teaching procedure and a detailed sample.According to detailed experiments,the aim is to obtain effectiveness through comparison between the old and the new teaching methods.Chapter Five is an analysis of data from questionnaires,interviews,pre-test and post-test from SPSS20.0.Validity of this experiment can be proved through analysis and observation,and there will be a conclusion and discussion at last.Chapter Six is a conclusion of this research,which contains the findings,limitations and suggestions in studying the application of Schema Theory.Finally,the author shows the expectations to this research.