Review of Research on the Constructivist Approach

Today’s world teaching-learning process is taking various new dimensions. Many researches concerning English teaching and learning as a foreign language in India are responsible for major shifts in language teacher education. As we know English provides access to knowledge, power, and material possessions, it is known as the language of opportunities. Whether we talk about India or the world, English is used to exchange ideas and concepts. Therefore, command over the English language is considered to be the most important determinant of access to employment possibilities and higher education, especially in a multilingual country like India where, in general, most of the time, during the teaching-learning process, the conventional teaching approach is used in classrooms which provide students fewer opportunities to master various language skills. To deal with this situation, new innovative strategies are being used. The constructivist approach, rooted in the works of Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and John Dewey, emphasizes the active role of learners in constructing their understanding based on experiences. This paper reviews significant research contributions on the constructivist approach, exploring its theoretical foundations, practical applications in education, and the outcomes of various studies. It examines the benefits and challenges associated with constructivist methodologies and synthesizes the perspectives of various scholars to provide a comprehensive understanding of the constructivist approach in contemporary education. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as well as the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023, strongly support the constructivist and learner-centered approach in school education. Presently CBSE’s initiative of introducing Experiential Learning and Art Integration is an innovative step in the field of education to revive India’s Education Policy. The present paper focuses on a Review (overview) of research based on the effect of Constructivist Models in the educational system. These models help in the improvement of teaching-learning practices for the betterment of students as well as teachers.