The Role and Value of Sociolinguistics in English Language Teaching

This paper aims to explore how the study of sociolinguistics can benefit teachers,particularly in the context of teaching English as a Foreign Language(EFL)in China.The article will first examine how sociolinguistic knowledge can reshape teachers’perceptions of“English,”focusing on aspects such as English varieties,World Englishes,and Chinese English.Following that,the article discusses the necessity of rethinking current practices in English language teaching,including the nativeness paradigm and the concept of communicative competence based on a reconceptualized view of“English.”Additionally,the discussion will focus on how teachers,informed by sociolinguistic awareness of non-native teachers’identities and teacher agency,can address and resolve existing challenges in EFL teaching.Finally,the article will conclude by summarizing the key issues discussed and highlighting the significance of studying sociolinguistics for language practitioners in China.

English Language Needs of Non-native Foreign Students

This paper will investigate the English language needs of non-native foreign students who are studying at the University of Otago, New Zealand. These students comprise of students from Asia （China, Thailand, Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, to name a few） and Europe. For these students, English is their second or third language and they face proficiency problems. To them, mastery of English is most important because all the courses in the university are taught in English and unless the students are proficient to operate in English, they will lose out and face difficulties in securing good grades for their subjects. Findings of this research will provide insights for the curriculum developers and English teachers at public universities especially in Malaysia that have been accepting students from Asia and the Middle East. The present curriculum need to be reviewed or a new curriculum need to be designed to meet the English needs of their non-native foreign students

Language Teaching and Intercultural Communication:Teaching Korean Grammar to Non-native Speakers

Grounded upon the interactive relationship between intercultural communication(IC)and foreign language education and the recent gradual salience of communicative language teaching(CLT)in foreign language grammar learning sectors,the study reported in this paper deals with the issue of teaching Korean grammar to non-native speakers in terms of teaching Korean as a foreign language(TKFL).This paper attempts to examine and analyze several Korean language textbooks prepared for foreign learners of Korean,which is used overseas,especially in Hong Kong(HK).It is also attempted to evaluate the textbooks in terms of CLT and communicative competence.By doing so,we can further understand the methods of Korean grammar instruction provided to foreigners as a second language or a foreign language.

Reflections on Language Testing——From the Perspective of Professional Training for Test Writers

This paper aims to talk about the superficial reflections on language testing from the perspective of professional training for test writers,to qualify test writers with basic testing theories,to make the test valid and reliable,to help improve educational reform and language teaching,to fully conform to the standards set by syllabus.

Constructing Writer Identity in Developing Second Language Writer's Academic Writing

Writer identity in academic writing has long been ignored by developing L2 writers.Moreover,research has much focused on the reader in shaping writing,and treated the role of the writer as unproblematic.In this essay,the construction of writer identity in developing writers’academic writing practice will be explored through a review of some relevant literature research and gain insights for the development of writer apprentices and writing instruction.

On the Optimization of the Quality of Language Tests

Language tests are frequently used as devices to evaluate language learning and teaching; therefore,we must be concerned about the quality—reliability and validity—of our tests.Many researches have showed that the quality of language tests has been decreased owing to the misuse of multiple-choice items.It is necessary to reduce the percentage of objective items in the tests,but what is more important is test writers’ professional skills which can directly affect the quality of the tests. This essay focuses on how to optimize the quality of language tests through the training for test writers. It has become quite urgent and important now,which should involve in familiarizing the writers with basic testing theories,purposes and types of testing,and main specific testing methods.

Foreign Language Teacher Recruitment： Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Findings

In some contexts such as private language schools of Iran language teachers are recruited mainly on the basis of their speaking fluency and in other EFL contexts they are recruited simply because they are native speakers. Moreover, previous studies mainly focus on comparing the effectiveness of native and non-native language teachers by exploring learners＇ and teachers＇ perceptions of native and non-native language teachers. Since recruitment criteria are theoretically unjustified and the results of previous studies are subjective and inconclusive, this study aims at making a case in the opposite direction. That is, the researchers argue that there should be： （1） a shift away from recruiting language teachers on the basis of their speaking fluency and native language background towards hiring language teachers on the basis of their professional performance in the language classroom; （2） a shift away from exploring learners＇ and teachers＇ perceptions of native and non-native teachers towards studying the effect of teachers＇ native language on learners＇ proficiency, accuracy, fluency, and achievement. To pave the way for these shifts, this study first reviews the theoretical perspectives and empirical findings concerning effective language teachers and then draws conclusions and implications which help interested stakeholders, i.e., supervisors, make informed decisions when they recruit language teachers.

Conversing in Spanish at a Seniors Center： A Brief Experience of Community-Based and Foreign-Language Learning

This pilot study explored the linguistic gains of intermediate level Spanish learners who completed community-based learning at a Spanish-speaking seniors center. Leamers had the opportunity, rare in foreign-language instruction, to discuss topics from their textbook in authentic native/non-native dyads. The interactions also allowed the seniors to fulfill an identified community needed by socializing in Spanish. Analyses of a post-service survey revealed that learners assessed the experience positively, because they spoke Spanish creatively. Seniors were described as cooperative and fun interlocutors, suggesting that age difference minimally affected the interactions. Direct observation revealed that learners managed to produce L2 Spanish output in connected speech for an extended period of time. Likewise, the seniors enjoyed a moment of socialization and first language use while sharing their views on the topics of discussion with the young visitors. Seniors＇ active participation likely encouraged learners to cope with sudden switches of topics that required negotiating for meaning and pushing the still limited interlanguages. A new service leaming study proposes to investigate the use of native/non-native dyads in Spanish in fulfilling a dual function： socialization and first language maintenance for the seniors at the center and language learning for the students.

Native-speakerism in China:An Investigation of Foreign Language Education Policy and Learners’Attitudes

With the development of globalization,the use of English is no longer restricted to native speaker(NS)but also widely spread to non-native speaker(NNS).The importance of English learning is also acknowledged by Expanding and Outer Circle,and English as a foreign language(EFL)education plays a significant role in China’s education.Admitting the fact that non-native English teachers(NNESTs)take up a large proportion of English teachers,English language teaching(ELT)is still greatly influenced by native-speakerism.This research aims to investigate language ideologies reflected in Chinese foreign language education policy(FLEP)at higher education level,and Chinese English learners’attitudes towards native-speakerism and English teachers.A mixed method of policy analysis and survey is adopted in this research.After conducting analysing two FLEPs in higher education level,it is found that linguistic instrumentalism is the prominent language ideology,although native-speakerism and standard English ideology is implicitly demonstrated.Questionnaire is used to investigate 58 Chinese English learners’attitudes,revealing that most participants do not demonstrate bias towards either NESTs or NNESTs.Instead,the strengths and weaknesses of both NEST and NNEST are identified,though participants adhere to native-speakerism in terms of English variety.Overall,English learner’s attitudes are consistent with language ideologies in FLEPs.This research may provide implications for future studies on addressing native-speakerism in Chinese FLEPs,as well as relationship of students’attitudes and language policies.

新时期云南彝族作家文学艺术语言环境机制分析

艺术语言是发话主体在疏离和超越日常生活的状态中形成的感悟、体验、判断和推理。在结构意象、选择语言的过程中,也就不可避免地对客观之象进行夸张的变形,特别是对语言的解构。发话主体在艺术语言的创造过程中不仅受到语言本身、心理思维的影响,还会受到环境的制约和影响,其中就包含了民族性、地域性和文化传承性的影响。

Writer Stance in Citations: An Ethnolinguistic and Paradigmatic Perspective

This study examines how writer stance is projected in citation from a comparative perspective.The dataset consisted of 120 qualitative and quantitative research articles(RAs)that were authored by Anglophone and Chinese applied linguists.ANO?VA tests revealed marked cross-language and cross-paradigmatic differences in stance-based dialogic engagement.

多项选择题命题技术:基于新手命题员培训的案例

聚焦一项语言测评课程中的命题培训,分析27名研究生作为新手命题员,在经过命题知识讲解,独立编写的多项选择题和小组合作修订后,命题成果中的题目缺陷,比较部分新手与专业命题员编写的题目在作答结果上的差异,并对其中9名研究对象进行课后访谈。研究发现,新手命题员的题目经过合作修订后质量有较大提升,在难度和区分度方面部分题目可以达到与专业命题员相似或更高的水平,以实践和合作为基础的命题培训对语言测评素养有提升作用。研究结果为语言测试多项选择题命题技术的学习效果提供了证据,为命题培训提供了参考。

当代彝族作家彝文文学创作状况及作品思想内涵研究

当代彝族作家彝文文学创作即指1980年至今的彝族作家用彝语言文字所进行的文学创作。纵观当代彝文创作发展历程,历经崛起、探索、模仿、继承、借鉴和创新等发展过程,取得了长足的发展,获得了丰硕的艺术成就。而以其独具民族特色和特有的时代风貌,成为彝族文学发展史上的一束绚丽的花朵,为当代彝族文学史注入了新的内容,为当代彝族文学的发展和繁荣作出了不可替代的贡献。

相思湖畔觅“乡”思——现行外语教育制度下的中文危机

曾经取得辉煌成就的“相思湖作家群”正面临一大困境:中文作家的培养和发展正普遍被外语所困缚。其根源是不合理的外语教育制度。“相思湖作家群”要腾飞,中国千千万万个“作家群”要腾飞,必须改革现行外语教育制度,让中国作家的培养和发展摆脱外语束缚。

二语写作理论、教学与评估研究五十年

本文主要评述了二语(L2)写作理论、教学与评估五十年的发展历程,剖析了三种流派各自的写作理念、教学方法和评估方法,即以文本为中心的写作研究流派,以作者为中心的写作研究流派以及以读者/社会文化语境为中心的写作研究流派。三种流派虽强调的重点不同,但也不乏相通之处。时至今日,三种流派仍然在影响着L1和L2写作教学与评估,为满足不同的写作需求服务。

老舍与满族文学

真正意义上的民族作家,民族意识必然地存在于他自觉与不自觉的意识活动之中,并在其创作中自觉不自觉地体现出来。本文从满族作家的角度对老舍的创作作一些探索。老舍是具有丰富深厚的满民族情感的满族伟大作家,他出身满族,自幼深受满族文化的滋养,逐渐养成满民族文化心理素质。在老舍的创作过程中始终或隐或显地体现着满族的文化心理素质及审美特征,文学语言具有满语性特征,表现在吸纳了满文词儿的"京腔"的幽默上,含有满族审美心理因素。

朝鲜朝汉文小说男性作家笔下的女性形象

汉文小说的创作贯穿了朝鲜朝500年的历史,当时的文人士大夫在小说中塑造了大量的女性形象。从当时汉文小说的创作群来看,都是男性作家,这为男性目光中的女性形像提供了一个很好的文本。深入解读小说文本中的女性形象可以发现,男性作家笔下女性形象构建的深层动因主要是对具有传统美德特质女性形象的恪守,对传统女性形象的写真以及难舍玉洁冰清。

“最愉快的梦想”——具有留学背景的现代作家与外语

对外语的高度关注,是具有留学背景的现代作家一个共同的、持久的、意义深远的情结。这些作家普遍有着较好的外语水平,极为热切地投入外国文学的翻译活动,并努力用外文写作,让中国走向世界,让世界认识中国。重视外语,珍爱外语,掌握外语,驾驭外语,不仅是一种爱好和追求,更深层次上,也是一种弥足珍贵的境界。对这种境界的追寻和拥有,则是具有留学背景的现代作家群体取得重大成就的关键因素之一。

拉什迪:东西方文化夹缝中的悲剧人物

在以多元文化并存和全球化趋势为显著特征的后殖民时代，"换语之人"异军突起，成就斐然。其代表人物拉什迪从"边缘"到"中心"，成为世界文学明星。但是，他在前宗主国文化的影响下，背离了本民族的传统文化，文化身份发生质变，成了东方主义理论的传声筒，起到了加剧东西方文化冲突的消极的文化功用。他的悲剧具有警世意义。

市场经济与文学话语系统的重建

2 0世纪 90年代文学市场化的意义 ,不在于它创作了多少部引起轰动的大作品 ,而在于它彻底打破了自先秦两汉以来所形成的以文学教化论为基础的作家话语霸权 。