The Application of the Theory of Behaviourism in English Teaching in Senior High School

吳紅梅

Abstract：The Theory of Behaviourism includes inner Drive， Associationism Theory， Program Teaching Method and Reinforcement Theory and so on. They are an important part of the theory of Behaviourism. Analysis of the Behavioral Learning Theory has important theoretical significance and practical significance for English teaching in senior high school.

Key words：Behaviourism；Learning Theory；English Teaching

1. Introduction

Behaviorists suggest that learning is a connection between stimulus and response， their basic assumptions ： learning behavior is in response to environmental stimuli. The application of Behaviorism Learning Theory contributes to help students to sharp and correct their behavior， and it has important significance for English teaching in senior high school.

2. The theory of behaviourism

2.1 Inner drive is basic premise of learning

Inner drive can promote individual specific learning behavior， and it is the evolution of the concept of learning motivation later. The inner drive is a basic prerequisite for learning， and any learning needs drive.We can get some inspiration from the line for the main representatives experiments.Pavlovs dogs has a strong driving force because of the food. Skinners box is so， the Learning Theory also has been attaching great importance to inner drive.

2.2 Learning is the connection between stimulus and response

Stimulus Response Association Learning is the most typical and most important features of the Behavioral Learning Theory. Thorndike noted： "learning is a connection， the human heart is the connection system "； "learning is a combination，human are good at studying， because they sharp this combination " （Zhang Dajun）. They attach importance to the application of theory in English teaching.

2.3 Reinforcement is the key of learning

Re-reinforcement and Post-reinforcement.Reinforcement before reaction is called Pre-reinforcement， for example ，Thorndike's cat first saw the food （reinforcer） with the action of going out of the cage （response）； Bandura's self-reinforcement is so.Reinforcement after the reaction is called Post reinforcement.

Self-reinforcement and external reinforcement.The so-called self-reinforcement， refers to predict the consequences of their actions.The theory is proposed by Bandura. External reinforcement refers to strengthening from others rather than themselves.

2.4 Program Teaching Method can improve in English teaching in Senior High School

The Program Teaching Method is the embodiment and application of Skinner Learning Theory.The Program Teaching Method：knowledge is decomposed into many parts， with the knowledge inherent logic， front and rear connection. the learners enable to sequentially learn each knowledge， getting feedback and reinforcement during this process.

3. The importance of the theory of behaviourism in English teaching in senior high school

3.1 Stimulate students inner driving

The behaviorists said， the inner driving is the basic premise of learning. This requires us in English learning to stimulate students' motivation. To succeed in inspiring students inner driving， English teachers must first make clear what is the needs of the students （reinforcement）.In fact， we cant fully meet all the needs of students， but the reasonable needs of the maximum to meet the vast majority of people.

3.2 Apply Reinforcement Theory to English teaching in senior high school scientifically

The Behavioral Learning Theory said： Reinforcement is the key of the success in learning. Making full use of the principle of reinforcement contributes to English learning in senior high school. In senior high school， as English teachers， we should support some appropriate reinforcement，which can contribute to English teaching.

3.3 The use of Program Teaching Method in English teaching in senior high school

3.3.1 Computer-aided instruction

Computer-aided Instruction （CAI） is a kind of teaching assistant technology which is developed on the basis of the idea of the behavior study， especially the teaching thought. Usually， they can learn a lot of knowledge through the computer timely feedback， even without the supervision and evaluation of teacher.I believe that the teaching mode can make up some shortcomings of the traditional classroom.

3.3.2 The arrangement of teaching content should be gradual

In senior high school， owing to students cant suddenly grasp all of the content， the coherence of teaching arrangements is essential. Skinner advocated "program teaching" point of view： the whole process of any course must be divided into many small steps， each textbook presents the interrelated steps， and the teaching task simplified into small steps can promote the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

3.4 Renovation of educational ideas

In twenty-first Century， the rapid development of science accelerates the arrival of the era of knowledge economy，which requires teachers to keep pace with the times， and renew the education idea. Therefore， English language teachers should realize the transformation of education ideas from teachers-centered to student-centered. Besides， teaching process is teacher-student interaction and common development process.

4. Conclusion

In summary， although behaviorism viewpoints have drawn criticism from various aspects， but the impact of English teaching in senior high school has been popular， and the theory for our senior high school education， especially English education still has positive enlightenment.Therefore，English teachers in senior high school should dialectically understand its effects in English teaching.

【Reference】

[1] Cheng Qi， Liu Rude. Contemporary Educational Psychology[M]. Bejing Normal University Press， 2007（2）.

[2] Zhu Chun. Psychology of Foreign Language Teaching[M]. Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press， 2007.

[3] Mo Lei. Educational Psychology[M]. Education Science Press， 2007.