Abstract：Reading, an important skill in the process of second language acquisition, has been a predominant aspect of junior middle school English teaching in China. However, for a long time, the reading teaching concepts and methods, which exceedingly emphasize grammar, have had little effect on the stimulation of junior middle school students' reading interest and the improvement of their reading competence. In order to alter the reality of reading teaching, arouse students' reading interest and to improve their reading competence, the author has conducted an empirical research on the application of Task-Based Approach to junior middle school English reading teaching during the two-month internship on the basis of deep studies about Task-Based Approach and its relevant theories according to the relevant requirements for junior middle school students’ reading competence and the suggestions for reading teaching in New Curriculum Standards. The research aims to encourage students to take an active part in class, stimulate their reading interest, and to improve their reading competence by students’ complement of reading tasks; furthermore, it probes into the difficulties about the application of Task-Based Approach to practical teaching so that it can provide reference for teachers’ improvement of teaching methods. 

Key words: Task-Based Approach; Junior Middle School English Reading Teaching; Students’ Reading Interest and Competence; Teachers’ Teaching Methods

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-1

1. Literature Review-2

1.1 Reading Teaching-2

1.1.1 The Definition of Reading-2

1.1.2 The Reading Teaching Models-2

1.1.3 The Current Problems of English Reading Teaching in Junior Middle School-3

1.2 Task-Based Approach-3

1.2.1 The Definitions of Task-4

1.2.2 The Types of Task-4

1.3 How to Design Reading Tasks-4

1.3.1 Principles-5

1.3.2 Steps-5

1.3.3 Role Transition for Teachers and Students-6

2. Experimental Research-7

2.1 The Design of the Research-7

2.1.1 Research Purposes-7

2.1.2 Research Participants-7

2.1.3 Research Methods-7

2.2 Data Analyses-8

2.2.1 Data Analyses from the Questionnaires-8

2.2.2 Data Analyses from the Interviews-10

2.2.3 Data Analyses from the Experiment-11

3. Conclusion-12

3.1 Major Findings of the Study-12

3.2 Limitations of the Study-13

3.3 Suggestions for Further Studies-13

Appendix 1 Questionnaires-15

Appendix 2 Interview Records-16

Appendix 3 A Lesson Plan-17

Bibliography-19

Acknowledgements-20