This paper explores how to implement effective strategy training for part-time Chinese adult English learners in a tertiary FLT （Foreign Language Teaching） classroom. Through a study of threx~ semesters during which...This paper explores how to implement effective strategy training for part-time Chinese adult English learners in a tertiary FLT （Foreign Language Teaching） classroom. Through a study of threx~ semesters during which six sessions of learner training workshops and constant, integrated task-based instruction were carried out, empirical evidence was collected via the instrument of questionnaires, interviews, learners＇ regular written reports, and the findings indicate that： （1） The students reported a statistically significant increase of the overaU average frequency of language strategy use over all SILL （The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning） items with 2.95 at the beginning and 3.61 at the end; and （2） Well-organized, explicit, and discrete leaner training workshops combined with frequent, explicit, and integrated task-based strategy instruction are an effective and helpful way to improve learners＇ awareness, selection, and frequency of strategy use, which can further foster learner autonomy.展开更多
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 speak...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.展开更多
Language learning must be conducted on the basis of acquisition, and the acquisition needs a certain environment as the material guarantee for the implementation of the learning activities. In China, English teaching ...Language learning must be conducted on the basis of acquisition, and the acquisition needs a certain environment as the material guarantee for the implementation of the learning activities. In China, English teaching lacks an advantageous learning environment as a Foreign Language （EFL） Teaching, which is one of main factors that more time is spent on the teaching but efficiency is not improved correspondingly. Therefore, we should attach more importance to the present situation and its causes. In this essay, present Situation is analyzed through the practical research, and the causes are explored to help to improve the efficiency of foreign language learning.展开更多
The grammar is an important part of English learning, but grammar learning has been a controversial topic in English learning profession, gone the process from worship to abandonment and then to a rational understandi...The grammar is an important part of English learning, but grammar learning has been a controversial topic in English learning profession, gone the process from worship to abandonment and then to a rational understanding. Firstly, this paper makes a brief introduction of the process, then introduces and discusses the significance, including sentence production, function of adjustment, fossilization solution, focusing on grammar phenomenon and grasping the components of language. Then, this paper presents two types of grammar, namely, tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge. Last, four approaches to obtain grammar ability are proposed.展开更多
Oral English teaching is not only an integral part of college English language teaching but also a crucial factor related to whether the language teaching goals can be achieved or not. This research has investigated t...Oral English teaching is not only an integral part of college English language teaching but also a crucial factor related to whether the language teaching goals can be achieved or not. This research has investigated the current situations and existing problems concerning oral English teaching on the basis of a case study of the authentic oral English classroom teaching at a city college in China. The findings and solutions may provide some implications for oral English language teaching at the college level in China.展开更多
English language, as a global language, is exerting greater influence on the world. It has been enlarging along with the development of the society, the progress of science and technology by the way of borrowing from ...English language, as a global language, is exerting greater influence on the world. It has been enlarging along with the development of the society, the progress of science and technology by the way of borrowing from other languages such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic in the fields of politics, culture, education, economics, science, and technology. Borrowing or loan word has become an important part in the process of English vocabulary acquisition. This paper studies modem English loan words, summarizes types of loan words, and makes a tentative analysis of their features with the attempt to facilitate English learning in an effective way.展开更多
The study investigates: (1) how different idiom types, classified on the basis of a cross-linguistic comparison of Chinese and English idioms in terms of conceptual basis, affect English idiom comprehension as reveale...The study investigates: (1) how different idiom types, classified on the basis of a cross-linguistic comparison of Chinese and English idioms in terms of conceptual basis, affect English idiom comprehension as revealed from both the general performance and the on-line processing strategies adopted by Chinese EFL learners at different proficiency levels, and (2) to what extent can the observed learner behavior be accounted for within the theoretical framework of idiom comprehension. The study has provided empirical evidence for the configuration hypothesis of idiom comprehension.展开更多
This paper presents an empirical study of the acquisition of English ambiguous verb-locative prepositional phrase constructions （VLPPs） by adult Mandarin and Spanish speakers. This study assumes that the semantic pr...This paper presents an empirical study of the acquisition of English ambiguous verb-locative prepositional phrase constructions （VLPPs） by adult Mandarin and Spanish speakers. This study assumes that the semantic properties of the target VLPPs that relate to change-of-location in sentences such as The boat floated under the bridge arise from an uninterpretable syntactic feature selected by English but unselected by Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Results obtained from an animated cartoon selection task indicate that neither the Mandarin nor the Spanish speakers at any level of English proficiency possess native-like interpretative knowledge. Tense/ Aspect effects on the interpretation of the target constructions by Spanish speakers were also found. These results are interpreted as consistent with the Representational Deficit Hypothesis view （Hawkins, 2003, 2005） of adult second language acquisition.展开更多
文摘This paper explores how to implement effective strategy training for part-time Chinese adult English learners in a tertiary FLT （Foreign Language Teaching） classroom. Through a study of threx~ semesters during which six sessions of learner training workshops and constant, integrated task-based instruction were carried out, empirical evidence was collected via the instrument of questionnaires, interviews, learners＇ regular written reports, and the findings indicate that： （1） The students reported a statistically significant increase of the overaU average frequency of language strategy use over all SILL （The Strategy Inventory for Language Learning） items with 2.95 at the beginning and 3.61 at the end; and （2） Well-organized, explicit, and discrete leaner training workshops combined with frequent, explicit, and integrated task-based strategy instruction are an effective and helpful way to improve learners＇ awareness, selection, and frequency of strategy use, which can further foster learner autonomy.
文摘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.
文摘Language learning must be conducted on the basis of acquisition, and the acquisition needs a certain environment as the material guarantee for the implementation of the learning activities. In China, English teaching lacks an advantageous learning environment as a Foreign Language （EFL） Teaching, which is one of main factors that more time is spent on the teaching but efficiency is not improved correspondingly. Therefore, we should attach more importance to the present situation and its causes. In this essay, present Situation is analyzed through the practical research, and the causes are explored to help to improve the efficiency of foreign language learning.
文摘The grammar is an important part of English learning, but grammar learning has been a controversial topic in English learning profession, gone the process from worship to abandonment and then to a rational understanding. Firstly, this paper makes a brief introduction of the process, then introduces and discusses the significance, including sentence production, function of adjustment, fossilization solution, focusing on grammar phenomenon and grasping the components of language. Then, this paper presents two types of grammar, namely, tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge. Last, four approaches to obtain grammar ability are proposed.
文摘Oral English teaching is not only an integral part of college English language teaching but also a crucial factor related to whether the language teaching goals can be achieved or not. This research has investigated the current situations and existing problems concerning oral English teaching on the basis of a case study of the authentic oral English classroom teaching at a city college in China. The findings and solutions may provide some implications for oral English language teaching at the college level in China.
文摘English language, as a global language, is exerting greater influence on the world. It has been enlarging along with the development of the society, the progress of science and technology by the way of borrowing from other languages such as French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic in the fields of politics, culture, education, economics, science, and technology. Borrowing or loan word has become an important part in the process of English vocabulary acquisition. This paper studies modem English loan words, summarizes types of loan words, and makes a tentative analysis of their features with the attempt to facilitate English learning in an effective way.
文摘The study investigates: (1) how different idiom types, classified on the basis of a cross-linguistic comparison of Chinese and English idioms in terms of conceptual basis, affect English idiom comprehension as revealed from both the general performance and the on-line processing strategies adopted by Chinese EFL learners at different proficiency levels, and (2) to what extent can the observed learner behavior be accounted for within the theoretical framework of idiom comprehension. The study has provided empirical evidence for the configuration hypothesis of idiom comprehension.
文摘This paper presents an empirical study of the acquisition of English ambiguous verb-locative prepositional phrase constructions （VLPPs） by adult Mandarin and Spanish speakers. This study assumes that the semantic properties of the target VLPPs that relate to change-of-location in sentences such as The boat floated under the bridge arise from an uninterpretable syntactic feature selected by English but unselected by Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Results obtained from an animated cartoon selection task indicate that neither the Mandarin nor the Spanish speakers at any level of English proficiency possess native-like interpretative knowledge. Tense/ Aspect effects on the interpretation of the target constructions by Spanish speakers were also found. These results are interpreted as consistent with the Representational Deficit Hypothesis view （Hawkins, 2003, 2005） of adult second language acquisition.
