Interest is one type of motivation and it is a vital factor in oral English learning. This paper concerns how to develop, keep and promote non-English majors＇ interests in oral English. It suggests combine interests ...Interest is one type of motivation and it is a vital factor in oral English learning. This paper concerns how to develop, keep and promote non-English majors＇ interests in oral English. It suggests combine interests with teaching contents, teaching activities and other factors.展开更多
This article discusses some theories relating to language learning and motivation. Considerable confidence is placed in the value of movies to enhance the learning of English language. From the author＇s own observati...This article discusses some theories relating to language learning and motivation. Considerable confidence is placed in the value of movies to enhance the learning of English language. From the author＇s own observation and experiences, movies are used to improve learners＇ motivation academically in three stages in addition to the discussion and evaluation of the activities in the three stares.展开更多
Fostering students＇ pragmatic competence in ESL/EFL classrooms has been the subject of a large number of studies over the last several decades. This paper will examine the importance of pragmatic competence in L2 spo...Fostering students＇ pragmatic competence in ESL/EFL classrooms has been the subject of a large number of studies over the last several decades. This paper will examine the importance of pragmatic competence in L2 spoken communication and investigate factors leading to pragmatic failures. It will also discuss possible ways to help foster students＇ pragmatic competence in EFL speaking classes.展开更多
This paper talks about the research of application of collaborative learning to non-English majors in Dalian University, First of all, the paper gives a brief review of the theoretical background of collaborative lear...This paper talks about the research of application of collaborative learning to non-English majors in Dalian University, First of all, the paper gives a brief review of the theoretical background of collaborative learning. Next, it states the reasons why collaborative learning is ineffective in China and points out the necessity to apply the approach to non-English majors in China. Then, exemplifications of the application of classroom collaboration and extracurricular collaborative activities to non-English majors in our university are given. Finally, research findings are presented.展开更多
The paper discusses the ＂Writing Test＂ in College English Test - Band Four in two aspects. One is the design of the ＂Writing＂ form; the other is the scoring process. From the discussion the paper comes to a conclu...The paper discusses the ＂Writing Test＂ in College English Test - Band Four in two aspects. One is the design of the ＂Writing＂ form; the other is the scoring process. From the discussion the paper comes to a conclusion that the ＂Writing Test＂ in CET-4 should be reformed in two ways： the single style of the ＂Writing＂ structure should be changed to various styles in design, and the ＂global scoring＂ principle used in marking the writing should be changed to ＂local scoring＂. At last, the author suggests some ways of how to put the reforming into reality,展开更多
The paper makes a case study of the intercultural communication failure, which is caused by the presence of stereotypes and preconceptions. It analyzes the communication problems with Hyme＇s SPEAKING framework. From ...The paper makes a case study of the intercultural communication failure, which is caused by the presence of stereotypes and preconceptions. It analyzes the communication problems with Hyme＇s SPEAKING framework. From the analysis, it is concluded, that individuals who hope to carry out effective intercultural interaction must learn to understand the expectations and preconceptions of those they want to talk with.展开更多
With the development of economic globalization and China＇s entry into the WTO, English is becoming more important than ever. In China, English is learnt as a second language and has long become the compulsory subject...With the development of economic globalization and China＇s entry into the WTO, English is becoming more important than ever. In China, English is learnt as a second language and has long become the compulsory subject in school. However, many Chinese students don＇t like to learn English and even feel headache in seeing English textbooks. Why English language learning is so painful for them？ This paper focuses on the discussion of factors that affect language learning in the context of China and comes to a conclusion that motivation is the most important factor in language learning. Teachers should try every means to better initiate students＇ motivation and bring their motivation to a full range in the classroom of language.展开更多
Based on a survey and some language experts＇ points of view about the motivation of Chinese university students, this article tries to deal with two issues： what kind of motivation does Chinese University students h...Based on a survey and some language experts＇ points of view about the motivation of Chinese university students, this article tries to deal with two issues： what kind of motivation does Chinese University students have and how can a teacher positively affect the motivation of his or her students？展开更多
＂Backwash＂ has usually been described in terms of the effect of testing on language teaching and learning. ＂Backwash can be harmful or beneficial＂, as Arthur Hughes states. （Hughes： 1989） This paper set out to ...＂Backwash＂ has usually been described in terms of the effect of testing on language teaching and learning. ＂Backwash can be harmful or beneficial＂, as Arthur Hughes states. （Hughes： 1989） This paper set out to see how far this term can be applied to the ways in which both the students and teachers can benefit from language testing.展开更多
This paper analyzes the errors in Chinese college students＇ compositions. The study finds that among the three types of errors： interference errors, intralingual errors and developmental errors, developmental errors...This paper analyzes the errors in Chinese college students＇ compositions. The study finds that among the three types of errors： interference errors, intralingual errors and developmental errors, developmental errors are the most important errors in the Chinese college students＇ writing. The results will help Chinese EFL teachers （especially college teachers） and students better judge the errors in the English writings of the Chinese students. It will also help the students avoid different kinds of errors in English writing.展开更多
With the continuous development of the times, cultivating students＇ cross-cultural consciousness is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of new situation requires that college English teachers should also st...With the continuous development of the times, cultivating students＇ cross-cultural consciousness is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of new situation requires that college English teachers should also strengthen students＇ cultural content education and cultivate students＇ cross-cultural consciousness, in order to stimulate students＇ learning interest, optimize students＇ knowledge structure and improve students＇ social cultural ability while introducing language knowledge and conducting listening, speaking, reading and writing training for students. Then, how to cultivate students＇ cross-cultural consciousness in college English teaching？ This paper takes it as the theme for analysis, hoping to improve college English teaching quality.展开更多
In many settings, listening is the most used language skill and also the channel through which students get much of their language input. Development of listening skills should thus be given the same attention as deve...In many settings, listening is the most used language skill and also the channel through which students get much of their language input. Development of listening skills should thus be given the same attention as development of other skills.展开更多
Comprehending speaking materials in a foreign language is one of the most difficult tasks and one of the most useful skills in foreign language teaching. But for many years listening skills have not received the prior...Comprehending speaking materials in a foreign language is one of the most difficult tasks and one of the most useful skills in foreign language teaching. But for many years listening skills have not received the priority it deserves in language teaching. A traditional listening lesson often tends to test listening rather than teach it and does not practice the kind of listening that takes place in real life. This paper explores a communicative way of teaching listening--a combination of seeing, listening and speaking. The new teaching approach can inspire learners＇ interest, help learners develop a better awareness of how to listen, build up their skills and strategies in listening and prepare them to deal with the demands of real world communication. The present study attempts to measure the effectiveness of and student reaction to the new approach to teaching listening.展开更多
This study focuses on thirty-five Low-level/achieving students on General Education English which meets for two hour.,; per week, eight weeks for two consecutive semesters （totaling thirty-two hours） in the Universi...This study focuses on thirty-five Low-level/achieving students on General Education English which meets for two hour.,; per week, eight weeks for two consecutive semesters （totaling thirty-two hours） in the University of Technology in Taiwan. Its chief aims four-fold： First, to promote the students＇ learning motivation; second, to increase the students＇ learning interests; third, to raise their English abilities by reading theme-based/oriented topics; and, fourth, instruct them by giving guidelines to make Power-Point presentations in class. A prior or pilot survey was conducted to provide empirical opportunities to collect and explore the participants＇ views, comments, and opinions in relation to the selected research questions on this topic. The results also indicate that students can speak different/various length of words, utilize appropriate phrase to express their ideas or goals, and to speak in various/different paces, etc. Teachers couldn＇t assess the students only by their test results due to the different learning styles adopted by individual students; however, through this survey, students can be better assisted through the identification of their individual styles or habits, their individual styles or habits of learning. As regards relevant knowledge about their students＇ learning styles, teachers may consider whether and how to adjust their methods of teaching in order to better motivate them to learn English more effectively and efficiently.展开更多
In order to sustain and increase students＇ interest in learning English, we tried to design several motivational approaches based on teaching psychology and pedagogy so as to improve our English teaching. The three o...In order to sustain and increase students＇ interest in learning English, we tried to design several motivational approaches based on teaching psychology and pedagogy so as to improve our English teaching. The three orientations were identified to be the principles for the study： 1.Inspiration out of tracing the retrogression to its source; 2.Stimulating learning through integrative internal and external drives; 3.Providing chances to get more inspiration of creativity. The study of integrative motivation was made for two years, which turned out to be efficacious in our English teaching when it was finished.展开更多
Different from other studies, the paper makes some attempts to combine text analysis with developing students＇ English thinking ability. Based on the view that English thinking ability is connected with improving ove...Different from other studies, the paper makes some attempts to combine text analysis with developing students＇ English thinking ability. Based on the view that English thinking ability is connected with improving overall language abilities such as listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating, the paper proposes approaches to develop English thinking ability as well as syntactic fluency. The paper presents a hypothesis： The development of a text is the author＇s train of thought. If one wants to acquire the thinking way used by author, the indirect but efficient approach is to analyze the texts written by the authors. If we want to develop students＇ thinking ability, the way is to analyze the various texts rather than to give the list of text developing principles. Therefore, the key to the problem is how to analyze text so as to improve students＇ thinking ability？ Michael Stubbs in his Discourse Analysis wrote, ＂Predict ability may be the single most important feature of human communication, precisely since it is central not only to all level of language; but also central to meaning and to thinking in general. Predictions are possible because language is structured. Such intuitive predictions are in turn a crucial part of our data in setting up language structures.＂ According to the view given by Michael Stubbs, the paper offers three approaches to analyzing texts.展开更多
According to the model of Dornyei three levels （language level, learner level, learning situation level） of foreign language learning motivation, the paper mainly discusses ＂course-specific motivational components...According to the model of Dornyei three levels （language level, learner level, learning situation level） of foreign language learning motivation, the paper mainly discusses ＂course-specific motivational components＂ from learning situation level, and puts forward advantages and disadvantages of the model. Basing on the model, the paper further expounds relative contents relating to learner＇s motivation, for example, syllabus, teaching methods and learning tasks. At last, the paper states the existing problems in language teaching and learning, at the same time, pointing out some suggestions.展开更多
文摘Interest is one type of motivation and it is a vital factor in oral English learning. This paper concerns how to develop, keep and promote non-English majors＇ interests in oral English. It suggests combine interests with teaching contents, teaching activities and other factors.
文摘This article discusses some theories relating to language learning and motivation. Considerable confidence is placed in the value of movies to enhance the learning of English language. From the author＇s own observation and experiences, movies are used to improve learners＇ motivation academically in three stages in addition to the discussion and evaluation of the activities in the three stares.
文摘Fostering students＇ pragmatic competence in ESL/EFL classrooms has been the subject of a large number of studies over the last several decades. This paper will examine the importance of pragmatic competence in L2 spoken communication and investigate factors leading to pragmatic failures. It will also discuss possible ways to help foster students＇ pragmatic competence in EFL speaking classes.
文摘This paper talks about the research of application of collaborative learning to non-English majors in Dalian University, First of all, the paper gives a brief review of the theoretical background of collaborative learning. Next, it states the reasons why collaborative learning is ineffective in China and points out the necessity to apply the approach to non-English majors in China. Then, exemplifications of the application of classroom collaboration and extracurricular collaborative activities to non-English majors in our university are given. Finally, research findings are presented.
文摘The paper discusses the ＂Writing Test＂ in College English Test - Band Four in two aspects. One is the design of the ＂Writing＂ form; the other is the scoring process. From the discussion the paper comes to a conclusion that the ＂Writing Test＂ in CET-4 should be reformed in two ways： the single style of the ＂Writing＂ structure should be changed to various styles in design, and the ＂global scoring＂ principle used in marking the writing should be changed to ＂local scoring＂. At last, the author suggests some ways of how to put the reforming into reality,
文摘The paper makes a case study of the intercultural communication failure, which is caused by the presence of stereotypes and preconceptions. It analyzes the communication problems with Hyme＇s SPEAKING framework. From the analysis, it is concluded, that individuals who hope to carry out effective intercultural interaction must learn to understand the expectations and preconceptions of those they want to talk with.
文摘With the development of economic globalization and China＇s entry into the WTO, English is becoming more important than ever. In China, English is learnt as a second language and has long become the compulsory subject in school. However, many Chinese students don＇t like to learn English and even feel headache in seeing English textbooks. Why English language learning is so painful for them？ This paper focuses on the discussion of factors that affect language learning in the context of China and comes to a conclusion that motivation is the most important factor in language learning. Teachers should try every means to better initiate students＇ motivation and bring their motivation to a full range in the classroom of language.
文摘Based on a survey and some language experts＇ points of view about the motivation of Chinese university students, this article tries to deal with two issues： what kind of motivation does Chinese University students have and how can a teacher positively affect the motivation of his or her students？
文摘＂Backwash＂ has usually been described in terms of the effect of testing on language teaching and learning. ＂Backwash can be harmful or beneficial＂, as Arthur Hughes states. （Hughes： 1989） This paper set out to see how far this term can be applied to the ways in which both the students and teachers can benefit from language testing.
文摘This paper analyzes the errors in Chinese college students＇ compositions. The study finds that among the three types of errors： interference errors, intralingual errors and developmental errors, developmental errors are the most important errors in the Chinese college students＇ writing. The results will help Chinese EFL teachers （especially college teachers） and students better judge the errors in the English writings of the Chinese students. It will also help the students avoid different kinds of errors in English writing.
文摘With the continuous development of the times, cultivating students＇ cross-cultural consciousness is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of new situation requires that college English teachers should also strengthen students＇ cultural content education and cultivate students＇ cross-cultural consciousness, in order to stimulate students＇ learning interest, optimize students＇ knowledge structure and improve students＇ social cultural ability while introducing language knowledge and conducting listening, speaking, reading and writing training for students. Then, how to cultivate students＇ cross-cultural consciousness in college English teaching？ This paper takes it as the theme for analysis, hoping to improve college English teaching quality.
文摘In many settings, listening is the most used language skill and also the channel through which students get much of their language input. Development of listening skills should thus be given the same attention as development of other skills.
文摘Comprehending speaking materials in a foreign language is one of the most difficult tasks and one of the most useful skills in foreign language teaching. But for many years listening skills have not received the priority it deserves in language teaching. A traditional listening lesson often tends to test listening rather than teach it and does not practice the kind of listening that takes place in real life. This paper explores a communicative way of teaching listening--a combination of seeing, listening and speaking. The new teaching approach can inspire learners＇ interest, help learners develop a better awareness of how to listen, build up their skills and strategies in listening and prepare them to deal with the demands of real world communication. The present study attempts to measure the effectiveness of and student reaction to the new approach to teaching listening.
文摘This study focuses on thirty-five Low-level/achieving students on General Education English which meets for two hour.,; per week, eight weeks for two consecutive semesters （totaling thirty-two hours） in the University of Technology in Taiwan. Its chief aims four-fold： First, to promote the students＇ learning motivation; second, to increase the students＇ learning interests; third, to raise their English abilities by reading theme-based/oriented topics; and, fourth, instruct them by giving guidelines to make Power-Point presentations in class. A prior or pilot survey was conducted to provide empirical opportunities to collect and explore the participants＇ views, comments, and opinions in relation to the selected research questions on this topic. The results also indicate that students can speak different/various length of words, utilize appropriate phrase to express their ideas or goals, and to speak in various/different paces, etc. Teachers couldn＇t assess the students only by their test results due to the different learning styles adopted by individual students; however, through this survey, students can be better assisted through the identification of their individual styles or habits, their individual styles or habits of learning. As regards relevant knowledge about their students＇ learning styles, teachers may consider whether and how to adjust their methods of teaching in order to better motivate them to learn English more effectively and efficiently.
文摘In order to sustain and increase students＇ interest in learning English, we tried to design several motivational approaches based on teaching psychology and pedagogy so as to improve our English teaching. The three orientations were identified to be the principles for the study： 1.Inspiration out of tracing the retrogression to its source; 2.Stimulating learning through integrative internal and external drives; 3.Providing chances to get more inspiration of creativity. The study of integrative motivation was made for two years, which turned out to be efficacious in our English teaching when it was finished.
文摘Different from other studies, the paper makes some attempts to combine text analysis with developing students＇ English thinking ability. Based on the view that English thinking ability is connected with improving overall language abilities such as listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating, the paper proposes approaches to develop English thinking ability as well as syntactic fluency. The paper presents a hypothesis： The development of a text is the author＇s train of thought. If one wants to acquire the thinking way used by author, the indirect but efficient approach is to analyze the texts written by the authors. If we want to develop students＇ thinking ability, the way is to analyze the various texts rather than to give the list of text developing principles. Therefore, the key to the problem is how to analyze text so as to improve students＇ thinking ability？ Michael Stubbs in his Discourse Analysis wrote, ＂Predict ability may be the single most important feature of human communication, precisely since it is central not only to all level of language; but also central to meaning and to thinking in general. Predictions are possible because language is structured. Such intuitive predictions are in turn a crucial part of our data in setting up language structures.＂ According to the view given by Michael Stubbs, the paper offers three approaches to analyzing texts.
文摘According to the model of Dornyei three levels （language level, learner level, learning situation level） of foreign language learning motivation, the paper mainly discusses ＂course-specific motivational components＂ from learning situation level, and puts forward advantages and disadvantages of the model. Basing on the model, the paper further expounds relative contents relating to learner＇s motivation, for example, syllabus, teaching methods and learning tasks. At last, the paper states the existing problems in language teaching and learning, at the same time, pointing out some suggestions.
