Action Research On Development Of Secondary Vocational School Students' Language Competence In The Perspective Of English Subject Core Competencies

“Core Competencies” is a hot term issued in the new round of education reform in China.The term “English Subject Core Competencies” is defined as the correct values,necessary qualities and key abilities which the learners are expected to acquire when they finish learning English course.It includes four aspects: linguistic competence,cultural awareness,thinking quality and learning ability.Language competence is the basic element of the other three.Therefore,the cultivation of students' language competence is the most important part of the development of students' English Subject Core Competencies.Secondary vocational schools aim to train skilled talents and high-quality workers for the society on the basis of compulsory education.With the informatization of society and globalization of economy,it is urgent to develop secondary vocational school students' English language competence in order to lay the foundation of their lifelong learning and career development.This study attempts to conduct an action research on the development of secondary vocational school students' English language competence in the perspective of English Subject Core Competencies.The whole research lasts for one semester among 118first-grade students of a secondary vocational school.The detailed research process is as follows: First of all,the author tries to find out the status quo of secondary vocational school students' knowledge of English Subject Core Competencies through a questionnaire,so as to ensure that they can participate in this research with better understanding of the background and necessary mental preparation.Then,according to the current situation of secondary vocational school students' English language competence,the author carries out an action research under the guideline of English Subject Core Competencies.The three rounds of action research consist of nine sub-rounds,which starts with consolidation of phonetic knowledge,next moves to listening and speaking practice and then is followed by the further development of reading and writing abilities.Finally all these form a joint force to comprehensively cultivate secondary vocational school students' ability to understand and use English by listening,speaking,reading,writing and viewing.It hopes to provide reference experience for secondary vocational school teachers to cultivate students' English language competence,and the result of this study also provides a new perspective and a new case for researchers in this field of education.The results and findings of this study are as follows:(1)“Viewing” is the new skill highlighted among the five language skills of English Subject Core Competencies.Integrating viewing with listening,speaking,reading and writing in English teaching is helpful to improve the secondary vocational school students' ability of understanding and expressing English in this new media era.(2)According to the requirements of English Subject Core Competencies,practice on phonetics including distinguishing similar sounds,imitating pronunciation and reading aloud can effectively help secondary vocational school students form better pronunciation and better sense of English.Therefore,a solid foundation can be laid for improving their language competence.(3)The three-dimensional dynamic grammar concept of “form-meaning-use” advocated by English Subject Core Competencies can help secondary vocational school students to master vocabulary and grammar better,and help to improve their language competence.(4)English Subject Core Competencies focus on studying language by discourse,which is helpful for secondary vocational school students to understand the discourse they hear and read effectively and to express properly both in oral and written English,so as to improve their overall language competence.