1. Introduction 1
1.1 Definitions of effective teaching 1
1.2 Definitions of assignment 2
1.3 Significance of the research 2
2. Design of Junior Middle School English Assignment 4
2.1 Junior middle school English assignment under the new English curriculum criterion 4
2.2 Investigation of current English assignment 4
2.3 Data analyses 5
3. Strategies of Designing English Assignment in Junior Middle School 10
3.1 Strategies of assessing English assignments 10
3.2 Realistic assignment 12
3.3 Recreational assignment 14
3.4 Creative assignment 16
3.5 Summary 17
4.Conclusion 18
Acknowledgements 19
References 20
ABSTRACT
This research attempts to modify the ways of designing and assessing English assignment for junior high school students in light of effective teaching theory, as well as English Curriculum Standards of China (2001). In particular, junior high school students are more likely to be stimulated and to develop their English levels by doing assignments that fit their personalities. The author makes an investigation about the current situation of English assignments and assessments in junior high school with two questionnaires for students and teachers respectively. Some typical problems of current English assignments and assessments emerge as the data illustrate, for instance, too much written assignment related to examinations, lack of oral assignment or other types of assignment, and simple ways of assessment, etc.
In an effort to foster students’ ability of applying English in practice and meet the needs of the five curriculum goals, the author designs three types of English assignment based on other researches and students’ characteristics: realistic assignment, recreational assignment and creative assignment. Many examples are presented in each type as well. Subsequently, a series of strategies of assessing these assignments are suggested. Subsequently, a series of strategies of assessing these assignments are suggested.
This thesis, therefore, will be able to provide English teachers in junior high school with various suggestive types of English assignment and corresponding strategies of assessment so that they will be able to improve their teaching levels as well as stimulating students’ enthusiasm of learning English in the future.
Keywords:effective teaching; English in junior school; design of English assignment