Research on the Design and Teaching Practice of the New Junior High School English Textbook (PEP Edition) in Implementing the Activity-based Approach to English Learning

Abstract

Based on the Activity-based Approach to English Learning proposed in the Compulsory Education English Curriculum Standards (2022 Edition), this paper takes Unit 6 “Rain or Shine” from the PEP (2024 Edition) junior high school English textbook for Grade 7 as a specific case to explore the design characteristics and teaching practice paths of the new textbook in implementing the philosophy of “integrating learning and thinking, emphasizing application and innovation”. The study finds that the new textbook adopts a big unit design approach, guided by the theme of “the impact of weather on human life”, and integrates various language skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing—through a progressive activity chain that moves students from learning and understanding to application and practice, and then to transfer and innovation. In teaching practice, the deep learning path of “Learning–Thinking–Applying–Creating” should be followed: activating cognition through situational introduction, guiding in-depth inquiry with question chains, driving language practice with authentic tasks, promoting innovative expression through open-ended activities, and empowering deep learning with continuous assessment throughout the process. The research demonstrates that textbook design and teaching practice based on the Activity-based Approach to English Learning can effectively cultivate students’ language competence and thinking quality, providing a practical reference for the reform of junior high school English teaching.