| Acknowledgements | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract in Chinese | 第5-6页 |
| Abstract in English | 第6-7页 |
| Contents | 第7-9页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第9-14页 |
| ·The importance of teaching and learning English | 第9-11页 |
| ·Teaching English to children in Chinese national context | 第9-11页 |
| ·Significance of the present study | 第11-13页 |
| ·Overview of the thesis | 第13-14页 |
| Chapter 2 Literature Review | 第14-32页 |
| ·Praise in general | 第14-15页 |
| ·Praise and motivation | 第15-22页 |
| ·Extrinsic motivation | 第17-18页 |
| ·Intrinsic motivation | 第18-19页 |
| ·Extrinsic motivation versus intrinsic motivation | 第19-20页 |
| ·Motivational differences | 第20-22页 |
| ·Praise as a reinforcement | 第22-27页 |
| ·Reinforcement theory in general learning context | 第22-24页 |
| ·Finding the right reinforcers | 第24-25页 |
| ·Praise can be a positive reinforcement | 第25-27页 |
| ·Teacher praise and feedback | 第27-29页 |
| ·Studies about praise in classrooms abroad | 第29-32页 |
| Chapter 3 Research Design | 第32-43页 |
| ·Research questions | 第32-33页 |
| ·Aims of the study | 第33页 |
| ·Method | 第33-35页 |
| ·Research setting | 第33-34页 |
| ·Subjects | 第34-35页 |
| ·Instrumentation | 第35-38页 |
| ·Research procedure | 第38-41页 |
| ·Analysis of the data | 第41-43页 |
| Chapter 4 Findings | 第43-72页 |
| ·Results of the Students Preference of Attitude Questionnaire (PAQ) | 第43-51页 |
| ·Discussion of the above analysis | 第51-57页 |
| ·Implications for classroom interaction | 第57-58页 |
| ·Results and discussion of teachers' perceptions towards praise | 第58-62页 |
| ·Observation of teacher praise in the classrooms | 第62-66页 |
| ·Implications: Principles of applying praise | 第66-72页 |
| ·Be contingent on the behavior to be reinforced | 第67页 |
| ·Be specific | 第67-68页 |
| ·Be enthusiastic when delivering praise | 第68-69页 |
| ·Praise and encourage the child's efforts and progress | 第69-70页 |
| ·Promote child self-praise | 第70页 |
| ·Praise difficult students more often and encourage the shy students | 第70-72页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusions and limitations | 第72-76页 |
| ·Conclusions | 第72-74页 |
| ·Limitations and suggestions for further study | 第74-76页 |
| References | 第76-81页 |
| Appendix 1 | 第81-82页 |
| Appendix 2 | 第82-83页 |
| Appendix 3 | 第83-84页 |
| Appendix 4 | 第84页 |
