| Acknowledgements | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract (English) | 第7页 |
| Abstract (Chinese) | 第8-9页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第9-16页 |
| 1.1 Introduction to the study | 第9页 |
| 1.2 Statement of the problem | 第9-14页 |
| 1.2.1 Present English teaching situation in vocational schools | 第9-10页 |
| 1.2.2 Present English teaching situation in Simao Agricultural School | 第10-12页 |
| 1.2.3 Students' diverse minority cultural backgrounds in Simao Agricultural School | 第12-14页 |
| 1.3 Aims of the study | 第14页 |
| 1.4 Significance of the study | 第14-16页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第16-27页 |
| 2.1 Defining the terms | 第16-17页 |
| 2.2 Cooperative learning | 第17-23页 |
| 2.2.1 Views about cooperative learning | 第17-19页 |
| 2.2.2 Basic elements of cooperative learning | 第19-20页 |
| 2.2.3 Practical strategies of cooperative learning | 第20-22页 |
| 2.2.4 A rationale for using cooperative learning in ESL/EFL classrooms | 第22-23页 |
| 2.3 Intercultural communication | 第23-27页 |
| 2.3.1 Importance of intercultural communication | 第23-24页 |
| 2.3.2 Contents of intercultural communication | 第24页 |
| 2.3.3 Elements of intercultural communication | 第24-25页 |
| 2.3.4 Successful intercultural communication through cooperative learning | 第25-27页 |
| Chapter Three Methodology | 第27-34页 |
| 3.1 Hypothesis | 第27页 |
| 3.2 Research design | 第27-31页 |
| 3.2.1 Subject selection | 第27-28页 |
| 3.2.2 Experiment design and its procedures | 第28-31页 |
| 3.2.2.1 Preparation for experiment | 第28-29页 |
| 3.2.2.2 Five steps of experiment | 第29-31页 |
| 3.3 Data collection and analysis | 第31-32页 |
| 3.3.1 Surveys and questionnaires | 第31-32页 |
| 3.3.2 Interviews | 第32页 |
| 3.4 The validity of the research | 第32页 |
| 3.5 Limitations | 第32-34页 |
| Chapter Four Results and Discussion | 第34-48页 |
| 4.1 Results of the quantitative research | 第34-36页 |
| 4.1.1 Comparison of English achievement before and after a one-term experiment | 第34-35页 |
| 4.1.2 Classroom observations for students' participation | 第35-36页 |
| 4.1.3 Evaluation of the cooperative learning experiment in relative departments | 第36页 |
| 4.2 Results of the qualitative research | 第36-42页 |
| 4.2.1 Interviews | 第36-40页 |
| 4.2.1.1 Individual interviews | 第36-39页 |
| 4.2.1.2 Group interviews | 第39页 |
| 4.2.1.3 Summary of the interviews | 第39-40页 |
| 4.2.2 The questionnaires | 第40-42页 |
| 4.2.2.1 Students' attitudes towards English learning and intercultural communication -----32 | 第40-41页 |
| 4.2.2.2 Students' attitudes towards the cooperative learning | 第41-42页 |
| 4.3 Discussions about the study | 第42-48页 |
| 4.3.1 Findings | 第42-43页 |
| 4.3.2 Issues concerned with cooperative learning | 第43-45页 |
| 4.3.3 Teachers' role in cooperative learning | 第45-48页 |
| Chapter Five Conclusion | 第48-50页 |
| 5.1 Pedagogical implications | 第48-49页 |
| 5.2 Suggestions for future research | 第49-50页 |
| Works cited | 第50-53页 |
| Appendices | 第53-56页 |
