Innovation of Teaching Methodology Based on Maximizing Learning Opportunities--A Case Study of a Private College in Guangzhou

Abstract

Basic English, which aims to train the basic English abilities in a comprehensive way, is one of the main courses for English majors. In teaching this course, conventional methods like the grammar translation method and the lecture method are widely employed, which have caused problems like repressed student agency, low learning efficiency, and imbalanced development of students’ English abilities. In the case of the College of FF, these problems are also prominent. To solve these problems, a teacher in the English department carried out his teaching reform when he was teaching Basic English. His reform was very much like the flipped classroom,  and received varied acceptance. To make further reforms in teaching Basic English and other courses which share similar features, a new teaching model is proposed. This model is based on a subjective evaluation of the reform carried out by this teacher and a thorough examination of the context of the College of FF, especially that of the English department. The fundamental rule of this model is maximizing learning opportunities in class. It is hoped that by applying this model, the efficiency and effect in English teaching can be improved.