On The Problem-based Teaching Of English Reading In Junior High Schools

At present,along with the rapid renovation of scientific knowledge,social demand for talents is getting higher and higher.Our society is badly in need of talents who are creative and conscious enough to deal with problems.The traditional teaching of English reading mainly aims at improving students’ abilities to take exams,laying little emphasis on training students’ abilities to analyze and solve problems.Influenced by the long-time traditional teaching method of English reading,the students are rather weak in the ability of English reading.Therefore,there have appeared some disadvantages of English teaching,such as the single and narrow mode of reading,weak students-oriented mode and more emphasis on grammar,words and expressions,etc.As a result,the students will be reduced to machines that can only memorize what they have been taught instead of discovering and solving problems on their own.Mere recitation can hardly improve the students’ scores;neither can it test whether the students can skillfully and efficiently put what they have learned into use.Based on the Problem-based Learning(PBL)method,the present study aims at helping students cultivate and enhance their abilities of discovering and analyzing the problems.The experiment was conducted in the two classes in Fuzhou No.19 Junior Middle school during the author ’s internship,where the experimental class conducted the PBL method and the controlled class practiced the traditional reading teaching.By means of Independent-Sample Test and the questionnaires,we find that:first,when applied to the reading teaching in the junior high school,the PBL method can improve the students’reading ability,cultivate their consciousness of raising and solving the problems,and enhance their awareness of practicing autonomous learning;second,the PBL method can increase the students’ interest and passion in learning,sustain their enthusiasm and form their own reading strategies and reading skills;finally,through the PBL method,the students can train their communication ability in the process and take the opportunity to speak in the group work,where they can cultivate the spirit of teamwork and help each other.In the light of the findings of the study,we can conclude that it is feasible and efficient to apply the PBL method to the English reading teaching in junior high schools.Obviously,the present study is of great significance and practical value.