论我国中小学英语教材的评价标准

评价我国的中小学英语教材,应根据我国的实际情况,制定符合我国实际的教材评价标准。结合我国英语教材评价的大背景,我们可以从以下十个方面来评价我国中小学英语教材:1．先进的语言教学理论;2．英语课程标准;3．系统的语言知识;4．基本语言技能;5．教材内容科学的组织、分级与排列;6．语言教学评价;7．学习者差异;8．教师教学与职业发展;9．支持性教学材料;10．教学资源与条件限制。     

Teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions of science–technology learning environments

During recent decades, educational research has dealt with the contribution of the learning environment to the accomplishment of educational goals, such as improvement of academic achievement and motivation. In this research, an intervention program was implemented into the learning environment of science–technology classes at the junior high school level (Grades 7–9, 12–15 years old) in Israel. The intervention included a three-year workshop involving 224 hours each year. The teachers (N = 22) were required to reflect on their experiences using a portfolio that described their actual teaching experiences for relevant discussions at the workshop. Quantitative and qualitative tools were used to examine the teachers’ implementation of new teaching/learning and assessment methods or new subject matter, that were addressed by the workshop in their classes, and to identify learning environment characteristics and learning outcomes according to teachers’ perceptions. Differences were found between teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions of the impact of learning environment characteristics on learning outcomes.     

Promoting Science Among English Language Learners: Professional Development for Today’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms

We describe a model professional development intervention currently being implemented to support 3rd- through 5th-grade teachers’ science instruction in 9 urban elementary schools with high numbers of English language learners. The intervention consists of curriculum materials for students and teachers, as well as teacher workshops throughout the school year. The curriculum materials and workshops are designed to complement and reinforce each other in improving teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and practices in science instruction and English language development for ELL students. In addition to these primary goals, secondary goals of the intervention included supporting mathematical understanding, improving scientific reasoning, capitalizing on students’ home language and culture, and preparing students for high-stakes science testing and accountability through hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences.     

Quality input and sustainability in early immersion classrooms: A case study of an experimental school in Macao

This paper looks into the case of a school in Macao nominated as the first (and so far the only) China-Canada-United States English Immersion (CCUEI) centre in the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) China for the experimentation and application of English immersion instruction (EI) in the K1-3 and Primary 1–2 classes. Drawing on Krashen’s Input Hypothesis (1982) and Cummins’ (2000) framework of instruction for language learning and academic achievement in the formal school context, the authors report their observations by analyzing the data collected from school teachers and participation in classes and by reflecting on their experiences, and suggest improvement that can be made to teachers’ linguistic and communicative competence, in terms of quantity and quality of comprehensible input and expected output, and thus the sustainability of English immersion classrooms in a Chinese context.     

FROM “EXPLORING THE MIDDLE ZONE” TO “CONSTRUCTING A BRIDGE”: EXPERIMENTING IN THE SPIRAL BIANSHI MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM

The spiral bianshi curriculum, an improvement on bianshi teaching developed by Gu (2000) and in line with Marton’s theory of variation (Marton & Booth, 1997), was tried out in a primary school in Hong Kong. This improved theoretical framework for the spiral bianshi curriculum comprises four types of bianshi problems—the inductive bianshi, the broadening bianshi, the deepening bianshi, and the applicative bianshi. Based on this framework, the research team developed a set of teaching materials on the three topics of division of fraction, speed, and volume. The materials were tried out in 21 Primary 6 classes (a total of 686 students) in a school. The effect was compared with a reference group using standard textbook materials in Hong Kong. A series of instruments, pre-tests, and post-tests were administered to gauge the effects on students’ performance in solving routine and non-routine problems, as well as the affective outcomes including self-concept, attitude towards learning mathematics, approaches to learning, and conceptions of mathematics. The intervention effects of the experimental design were examined by hierarchical regression analysis. The research reveals that students using spiral bianshi teaching materials performed significantly better than their counterparts using standard textbook materials. However, no significant differences were identified among affective learning outcome variables despite the positive results on cognitive learning outcomes. The findings indicate that spiral bianshi curriculum has high potential in enhancing students’ learning effectiveness. However, further studies are needed to map its strengths in detail.     

论中学英语教师继续教育的课程开发

在语言学和英语教学理论不断更新的今天,如何对中学英语教师进行继续教育,是当前师资继续教育亟需解决的新课题。中学英语教师均已受过正规的8评议训练,具有独立的分析能力,喜欢课堂交际,对继续教育有明确的个人目标。根据中学英语教师的这些特点,在继续教育的课程开发中,过程模式,任务型教学大纲和内容型教学大纲更加适合中学教师的需求,因为学习者在解决问题和学习各种理论知识的同时锻炼了评议的实际运用能力,提高了教学和科研能力,在教学大纲的实施中,须贯彻八项原则:1.教学现场相结合;2.理论与教学实践相结合;3.解决中学教学中的难点;4.课堂交流与讲解并重,鼓励学员在课堂上进行讲座;5.内容学习和言语学习并重;6.与现代化教学手段接轨;7.注重能力的培养;8.鼓励创造性的学习。     

Addressing the Nature of Science in Preservice Science Teacher Preparation Programs: Science Educator Perceptions

The nature of science (NOS) has a prominent role among the national science education content standards at all grade levels, K–12. Results from a national survey of collegiate science educators indicate the perception that the greatest contributors to preservice teachers’ understanding of the nature of science were science methods courses, research projects, and science content courses. Implications of findings are discussed, including connections to current research concerning teacher preparation for effective NOS classroom teaching and student learning.The Nature of Science course on the authors’ campus was initiated in the early 1990s, has evolved, and remains in the required core curriculum for preservice chemistry, earth science, and physics teacher candidates. It is the capstone for NOS insights. It adds to and refines impressions garnered implicitly from science content courses, the methods course, and, for some, an undergraduate research experience.     

‘Thinking Schools, Learning Nations’ Implementation of Curriculum Review in Singapore

‘Thinking schools’ will be sites of learning for everyone declared the Singapore Prime Minister, Goh Chok and Minister of Education Teo Chee Hean’s in 1997 also spoke on the model of’ ‘thinking schools, learning nation’. Gardner’s model was used for the thinking school model in Singapore, in order to develop critical and creative thinking in students. This was to be done with the use of instructional technology as an enabling tool using a diversity of approaches including integrated project work. This paper reports on how one school went about changing approaches to teaching and learning by implementing integrated project work as a way of integrating the content areas of the curriculum, mathematics and science through English language, supported by the tools of instructional technology.     

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE TEACHERS AS A REFLECTION OF LARGE-SCALE ASSESSMENT

Professional development (PD) of teachers comprises a major challenge in many countries. The empirical relations between teaching–learning processes and student achievements occupy educators who construct teachers’ in-service training programs. Student achievements serve as a measure for testing improvements in learning. Many investigators view teachers’ content–didactic knowledge as influencing the quality of teaching and student achievements. Large-scale assessments (national and international evaluation frameworks) in the Israeli educational system offer teachers opportunities for improving their teaching–learning processes and student achievements. We developed a program for the PD of science teachers based on the curriculum and large-scale assessments. The model is long term and integrates theoretical and practical knowledge. The activities should be effective and cooperative and should use diverse teaching methods and integrate advanced technologies. This article presents considerations for the construction of the program, its goals, its performance, teachers’ reports on the components, and the contribution of the program’s components to their PD.     

语言学习策略理论与大学英语教学改革

大学英语教学改革涉及包括新教材的选用、课程的设置、教学手段的更新、教学模式的变化以及四、六级考试题型的改革等诸多方面的内容,本文试图在研究学习策略理论的基础之上,探讨如何将该理论纳入大学英语教学改革的各环节之中。     

Teacher preparation for equitable access through the integration of TESOL standards,multiple intelligences and technology

Abstract

Schools need teachers who can provide English language learners with equal access to academic content and to information technologies. The authors propose that the integration of standards in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages), the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) and technology can provide an equitable education, support learning differences and develop English language skills across the curriculum. The authors suggest how the integration of TESOL standards, MI theory and technology can become a part of pre-service teacher education and discuss some of the challenges to transferring this integration into the classroom     

从后现代多元智能角度分析中国数学课程新标准

新世纪之始，中国颁布了适用于小学和初中学习阶段（1年级～9年级）数学课程新标准，期望借此回应新时代的挑战，从后现代多元智能角度，对中国新课程标准中课程目标，内容标准，及课程实施建议进行分析是十分有必要的，多元智能所倡导的理念在中国数学课程新标准中体现得非常深刻，从新课程标准的内容和课程实施建议中可以看到，开启儿童的潜质，拓展儿童的才能是一个重要目标。     

试论基础教育英语课程的五个基本关系

在实施新课程标准时,不管采用何种课程理论、何种教学策略、何种教学方法和技巧,都应处理好英语课程内部的五对基本关系:人文与工具、语言与言语、结构与意义、直觉与自觉、教法与学法。同时这些关系的平衡,不能忽略两个前提:我国基础教育阶段英语教学的本质内涵和英语教学的基本国情。     

我国新时期基础教育阶段英语课程的历史变革与现实路径

以教学大纲／课程标准为分析文本,从课程目标、课程内容、课程实施和课程评价四个维度梳理自1978年改革开放以来我国基础教育阶段英语课程的历史发展进程,进而归纳出各时期英语课程的现实路径,最后得出结论：基础教育阶段英语教学应当基于课程标准而展开,呼吁广大中小学英语教师做到“人人心中有课标”,统筹考虑教学目标、教学材料、教学过程与教学评价的一致性。     

Teachers’ Perspectives on a Professional Development Intervention to Improve Science Instruction Among English Language Learners

Our 5-year professional development intervention is designed to promote elementary teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and practices in teaching science, along with English language and mathematics for English Language Learning (ELL) students in urban schools. In this study, we used an end-of-year questionnaire as a primary data source to seek teachers’ perspectives on our intervention during the first year of implementation. Teachers believed that the intervention, including curriculum materials and teacher workshops, effectively promoted students’ science learning, along with English language development and mathematics learning. Teachers highlighted strengths and areas needing improvement in the intervention. Teachers’ perspectives have been incorporated into our on-going intervention efforts and offer insights into features of effective professional development initiatives in improving science achievement for all students.

Supporting Oral Second Language Use: A Learning Experience in a First Grade German Immersion Class

This article describes a learning context in which the first grade classroom teacher creates a learning community where she uses different teaching strategies to encourage children’s second language use and learning. The first graders share, discuss, and learn both the second language (German) and content.     

Integrating ICT into College English: An implementation study of a national reform

This paper describes a mixed-methods case study of a national reform of College English teaching in China which called for the integration of ICT (information and communication technology) into English classroom teaching and self-access learning. The study examined ICT implementation of the national reform in a specific tertiary institution from the perspectives of ICT use in language education and ICT-related policies and practices for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers. The findings indicated that the reform had represented a challenge for teachers, who were expected to adapt to technologically-enhanced teaching materials, embrace student-centred classroom teaching and guide students’ autonomous learning in ICT settings. Constraints included insufficient ICT facilities, teachers’ limited ICT skills and pedagogic expertise; and lack of effective communication networks and inadequate technical support and ICT-related training also hindered the smooth ICT implementation of the reform. Implications for national and institutional policy-making are discussed.     

Language learning through critical pedagogy in a “Brave New World”

After passing their university entry exam, students who wish to study a subject at one of the Turkish universities offering English-medium courses attend a one-year preparatory class. At the end of this, they need to pass an English language proficiency exam in order to be admitted to their chosen course of study. The existing curriculum for such preparatory classes is designed to be taught in English only and very much oriented towards passing the concluding standardised language proficiency exam at the end. This approach does not teach the students any of the skills they will need for their further study, such as how to think critically or to question their own conditioning and political attitudes. Using a different methodology, the author of this paper conducted an in-class project with students learning English in a Turkish state university’s preparatory class. The project was carried out within a framework of critical pedagogy and used both Turkish and English during the phases of research and discussion. Evaluating the students’ own reflections on the experience as well as their final presentations which were prepared in English, the author suggests that the critical pedagogy approach in combination with a maximum use of students’ means of expression and language resources led to a more meaningful learning experience – both for the students and for herself – as well as a more efficient and lasting English language proficiency.     

Supporting Science Teachers in Alignment with State Curriculum Standards through Professional Development: Teachers’ Preparedness, Expectations and Their Fulfillment

Since A Nation at Risk was released in the 1980s, standards-based reform has been the most dominant trend in American educational policy, and the No Child Left Behind Act pushed the trend further by requiring states to develop rigorous curriculum standards. Though much has been said about these new standards, less has been said about whether or how well professional development helps teachers link their instruction to these standards. This study examined the impact of a professional development program for K-12 science teachers in helping teachers meet state curriculum standards. Seventy-five science teachers in Michigan participated in a 2-week summer workshop that used Problem-Based Learning for improving teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. Researchers surveyed participating teachers about the change of teachers’ preparedness for standards-based teaching, their expectations to meet state curriculum standards, and whether their expectations were met. In addition, the usefulness of workshop activities was examined. Data analysis showed that to align teaching with state curriculum standards, participating teachers expected to learn instructional strategies and enhance science content knowledge through professional development, and by and large their expectations were well met. Collaboration with colleagues and facilitators helped teachers achieve their goals in terms of teaching within state curriculum standards. These findings have important implications for designing professional development to help teachers align instruction with curriculum standards.     

整合语言学习及语言实践培养学生的英语应用能力——研究生英语教学改革的思考

我校在研究生课程设置、教材编写、教学模式、助学服务、教学评估等方面取得了一些值得称道的成果,但在语言教学中如何突出语言实践这一环节始终未有理想的举措.要在语言教学中突出实践这一环节,就必须进一步完善现有的英语教学体系,整合语言学习与语言实践,在保证课堂教学的前提下,将语言学习有效地延伸到课外,使课外语言实践活动与课堂教学内容有机地结合起来.