Implementing of College English Course Based on a Production-Oriented Approach Combined with a Critical Thinking Process to Enhance the English Writing Ability of Non-English Major Students at Xi’an University
Abstract
Background and Aims: University foreign language education is crucial in China’s higher education, holding a significant role in promoting the development of students’ knowledge, abilities, and comprehensive qualities. College English, a compulsory foundational course for the majority of non-English majors, plays an irreplaceable role in talent cultivation. The purpose of this research was: (1) to compare students’ English writing ability before and after implementing a College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process. (2) to compare the students’ satisfaction after implementing the College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process with the criterion set at 3.51.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 non-English major first-year students (one class) from Xi’an University were investigated. They were derived from the cluster random sampling method. The research instruments were (1) a College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process and its six lesson plans, (2) an English writing ability test paper with a reliability of 0.931, and (3) a student’ satisfaction questionnaire with a reliability of 0.792. Data were collected and analyzed by means, standard deviation, t-test for dependent samples, and t-test for one sample.
Results: After implementing College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process in the classroom, the research results were as follows: (1), the student’s English writing ability post-test scores (M=41.08, SD=4.41) were higher than the pretest scores (M=37.08, SD=4.46) at a statistical significance level of 0.05 (t=45.61, p<.05). (2) The students’ satisfaction (M=4.44, SD=0.63) with the College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process was high level.
Conclusion: The College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process has a significant effect on enhancing the English writing ability of non-English major students at Xi’an University. Students are satisfied with the developed College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process.
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