袁 英
（陕西省咸阳渭城中学，陕西 咸阳 712000）
Abstract:It is known to all that core competence of English discipline mainly consists of language ability, cultural character, learning ability and thinking ability. Much has been emphasized on language learning itself, while thinking ability always tends to be ignored by both teachers and students in daily teaching. As a matter of fact, mind maps can be employed as a good way to enhance high school students’ thinking ability.
Key words: mind map, thinking ability, high school students
I. Analysis of Present Situation of Senior High School Students’ English Learning
There is no doubt that a lot of attention has been paid to the scores in English learning, which gradually leads students to focus on the English language itself, while totally ignoring cultivating thinking ability, for there is quite limited time left to students. What makes things worse is that, many students find it difficult to memorize so many words and grammatical rules, which disappoints them very often. Therefore, there is an urgent need to change students’ main focus, which means that it is high time more attention should be paid to cultivate students’ thinking ability.
II.Significance of using mind maps to cultivate students’ thinking ability
A lot of practice has been carried out on employing mind maps in English learning, from which a result has been found that mind maps can be used in a variety of types of lessons, such as grammar, lexical learning, reading, writing and even listening and speaking. Apart from that, mind maps can be used to enhance students’ thinking ability, which can be seen from the following aspects.
2.1 Mind maps can stimulate logical thinking
In essence, a mind map is a diagrammatic method of representing ideas, with related concepts arranged around a core concept. In order to create an appropriate mind map, students are required to find out some related concepts. For example, to better understand and memorize the meanings of “more than”, students can use their imagination to find something related. It is easy to think of the well known song “I love you more than I can say”, which shows the love between a man and a woman. When it comes to love stories, it may become easier to relate to the moving movie “Roman Holiday”. “More than ” can be used in sentences like: (1) Ann is more than a princess from the British royal family, and she is an angel. (2) However, Ann sleeps more than deeply. (3) He hasn’t paid the rent for more than two months. (4) Ann is more than excited about her one-day holiday. (5) The short love seems no more than a dream. (5) The film is more a comedy than a tragedy. The mind map of this story is presented in Mind Map 1.
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It is apparent that the mind map, the story and the meanings of “more than” are closely connected here. During the process of creating the mind map, students’ logical thinking is stimulated.
2.2 Mind maps can stimulate critical thinking
To better develop core competence, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking instead of accepting others’ opinions passively. After learning from the textbooks and teachers for a long time, students need chances to express their own opinions, which can be better presented in writing tasks. Take “A Tour into Xi’an” as an example, students need to make a thoughtful arrangement in advance. In order to make exchange students better understand Xi’an, a farther trip can be arranged on the first day to the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum, which also belongs to a great treasure all over the world, while shorter trip can be arranged on the second day. During the whole process, students’ critical thinking can be stimulated, which can be seen in Mind map 2.
2.3 Mind maps can stimulate creative thinking
Students may find it a big headache to learn grammar, for there are many rules to follow. However, it may become much easier to remember a short passage or a mind map. The news came several days ago that Yuan Longping passed away, which shocked all of us. It’s necessary to express our respect and great mourn for him in a writing task. Therefore, a “heart ” shape can be used to show our great passion for him, which can be seen in Mind map 3.
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III.Conclusion
To sum up, students’ logical thinking, creative thinking and critical thinking can be stimulated and developed gradually during the process of creating mind maps. However, there are still some limitations of using mind maps. Researches on employing mind maps in English learning are quite limited. What’s more, more time is needed to put this concept into English learning.
References:
1.李正栓，杨国燕.现代英语教学论[M]. 北京：清华大学出版社，2018.
2.黄建滨.英语教学理论系列：中小学英语教与学[M]. 杭州：浙江大学出版社，2016.
作者简介：袁 英（1983—），女，陕西陇县人，陕西省咸阳渭城中学教师，硕士，主要从事思维导图在高中英语教学中的效用研究。