Application of Hypertext in the Teaching of English Grammar in Secondary Schools

College of Foreign Studies, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, Hubei, 435000, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Against the social background of rapid developments in information technology, hypertext--with its non-linear structure and feature of network interconnection--offers flexible and interactive learning pathways for secondary school English grammar teaching. This approach helps to overcome the mechanical and rigid patterns often found in traditional grammar teaching. This study draws on interviews with three teachers and three students to investigate the pedagogical benefit of hypertext and find ways to further improve it, to stimulate its usage among teachers in grammar classes. The investigations reported in this study indicate that hypertext can deepen comprehension of students’ grammar, engagement in the class, and personalized learning. However, hypertext use in the classroom is facing two main obstacles: the low level of teachers’ technological skills and the lack of appropriate educational materials. To the end, the current study suggests reinforcing the training of teachers and resources supply as a means to support the transition from traditional to modern grammar teaching. This article shows the hypertext possibility for learning and explains the difficulties connected with its use, giving the language teaching field an empirical base for using educational technology.