Author(s)

Yuhan Du

School of English Language, Literature and Culture, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing, China.

This paper investigates the differences and similarities between the English open class recordings of Chinese and American elementary schools by using video analysis, media data analysis, video transcription method, and statistical method. The open class samples are all excellent classroom examples. The Chinese open class, “Danny’s Summer Vacation”, is selected from “The Eighth Collection of Chinese Open English Lessons for Primary Schools”. The American public lesson “Informational Text” is selected from “Original English Lessons from American Elementary Schools”. Based on the transcription of the open classes, this paper analyses the teachers’ verbal language, non-verbal language, tone, speech rate, teaching methods, teaching process, classroom environment, and class atmosphere separately. Based on the comparative analysis, the paper shows that Chinese elementary English teaching is richer in preparation and classroom activities than American English teaching, but the content is simple, almost entirely based on textbook content, and less meaningful in practical application.

English Teaching, Elementary School, Open Class

Du, Y. (2022) Comparative Analysis of English Classes in Chinese and American Primary Schools Based on Videos of Open Classes. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 10, 99-119. doi: 10.4236/jss.2022.106010.