Guessing strategy is a traditional and effective way for EFL students to improve their reading. Almost all readers apply this method, to a greater or lesser extent, when reading different kinds of materials. This is p...Guessing strategy is a traditional and effective way for EFL students to improve their reading. Almost all readers apply this method, to a greater or lesser extent, when reading different kinds of materials. This is partly because readers simply do not have the time to look up every new word in the dictionary. Linguistics developments in recent years make it possible to reconsider this kind of strategy in the framework of cognitive grammar. A number of theories have provided more evidence regarding the effectiveness of a guessing strategy. Linguistic theories dealing with terms such as schemata, prototype, etc. make it possible to reconsider the strategy in a broader context. Schemata theory tells us that the context of a given word is not the only source and basis of guessing. Other factors include background knowledge and the given word itself. Prototype theory, on the other hand, shows how readers guess the meaning of a familiar word form with a completely new part of speech or meaning. Even though cognitive linguistics has shown the effectiveness of a guessing strategy in reading, the applicability of the method needs to be reconsidered. Some materials may not be suitable for the application of a guessing strategy.展开更多
文摘Guessing strategy is a traditional and effective way for EFL students to improve their reading. Almost all readers apply this method, to a greater or lesser extent, when reading different kinds of materials. This is partly because readers simply do not have the time to look up every new word in the dictionary. Linguistics developments in recent years make it possible to reconsider this kind of strategy in the framework of cognitive grammar. A number of theories have provided more evidence regarding the effectiveness of a guessing strategy. Linguistic theories dealing with terms such as schemata, prototype, etc. make it possible to reconsider the strategy in a broader context. Schemata theory tells us that the context of a given word is not the only source and basis of guessing. Other factors include background knowledge and the given word itself. Prototype theory, on the other hand, shows how readers guess the meaning of a familiar word form with a completely new part of speech or meaning. Even though cognitive linguistics has shown the effectiveness of a guessing strategy in reading, the applicability of the method needs to be reconsidered. Some materials may not be suitable for the application of a guessing strategy.
