An Analysis on the Problem of Students’Engagement in English Class

陳瑜

【Abstract】Students engagement in English class is a common problem facing by English teachers.This study analyzes the factors which influence students classroom engagement， tries to find out possible solutions to solve this problem from the perspective of SLA theory and teaching approaches and gives implications for future teaching.

【Key words】students engagement； English class； influential factors； possible solutions

I.Description of the problem

It is a common phenomenon that only a few students can engage themselves in class.Zhang（2004） says that active classroom engagement has a positive effect on students English learning.Xu（2007） believes that students autonomy and engagement have a large effect on the process and result of teaching.Therefore， it is significant to focus on the problem of students engagement in English class and find out the effective way to solve this problem.

II.Possible reasons

The classroom environment is one of the factors.If the students are interested in the topic， they will be more active.According to Mearns et al.（2007）， if the teacher is perceived to be approachable， well prepared， students are more willing to express their own opinion.Bryson and Hand（2007） agree with this view.Therefore， teacher should carefully plan a lesson to motivate students.

Another factor is students personality.Elys（1986） study shows that the students who are risk-taking are more willing to be engaged in the activities in class.In one word， teachers should not only value extroverted students and ignore introverted ones.

The last factor is cultural background.Chinese traditional cultural believes that silence is gold.Moreover， the education in China is still exam-orientated.If teachers say such skill is useful in CET4 or CET6， then all the students will be motivated.

III.Theory and possible solutions

Krashens（1997， 1982， 1985） Input Hypothesis can be used to explain the way to enhance students engagement in English class.Krashen mentioned that learners progress along the natural order by understanding input that contains structures a little bit beyond their current level of competence（i+1）.That is to say， the materials provided for students should be neither too easy nor too difficult.Therefore， at the beginning of the semester， teacher can give students a test， which can help the teachers know the different levels of English of different students and try to find the most suitable materials.

The possible solution is to apply Task-based Language Teaching to English class.One of the typical examples is to ask students questions.For instance， before reading the passage， the teacher can ask students some questions about their implications about the passage.Through this way， students can read for a purpose.Su（2013） believes that effective classroom questioning can enhance students engagement and promote the communication.

IV.Conclusion

How to enhance students engagement is a problem that has been paid high attention to.In the future， how to ask proper questions to students to promote their engagements should be rethought.Besides， as a teacher， what should be kept in mind is to try best to know your students.

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