20世纪90年代以来美国中小学外语课程改革的特点及其启示

The Characteristics and Enlightenment of Foreign Language Curriculum Reform in American Schools Since the 90s of the 20th Century

20世纪90年代以来,各国都在竞相提高外语教育水平。作为超级大国的美国对中小学外语教育前所未有的重视,并进行了收效颇丰的外语课程改革,其改革具有如下特点:外语教育观念的转变颇大,对课程的重视度提高;开设的外语语种较以前更加丰富,并且随着形势而变化;课程内容综合化;教学方法生动活泼,重视培养学生交际能力;课程评价科学化;重视外语教师的培养和发展;广泛应用现代化教学手段。对比我国英语教育现状,可以从中得出以下启示:科学定位外语课程的价值;出台积极的外语教育政策;建立完整的外语课程指导框架;实施有效的外语教学和学习策略;营造良好的外语学习氛围;综合运用现代教育技术,拓宽学生学习外语的渠道;重视外语教师教育,提升外语教师的综合能力;完善外语课程评价体系。

Since the 90s of the 20th century,All countries has been scrambling to raise the level of foreign language education.As the world＇s leading superpower,the schools in U.S.have attached unprecedented importance to foreign language education,and carried out the substantial and achievable foreign language curriculum reform.By analyzing and summarizing the characteristics of foreign language curriculum reform of primary and secondary schools in U.S.,this paper proposes some enlightenments to our foreign language curriculum reform and continued development.They are：positioning the value of foreign language curriculum in scientific way;carrying out positive policy for foreign language education;establishing complete guiding framework for foreign language teaching;implementing effective teaching and learning strategies;creating appropriate atmosphere for foreign language learning;applying modern educational technology;widening the channel of foreign language learning for the students;paying attention to the teachers＇ training;improving teachers＇ comprehensive competence;completing evaluation system of foreign language curriculum.