In the current debates over Saussure＇s principle of arbitrariness, there have occurred some confusions and misunderstandings, especially in the equation of Saussure＇s notion of arbitrariness with the classical notio...In the current debates over Saussure＇s principle of arbitrariness, there have occurred some confusions and misunderstandings, especially in the equation of Saussure＇s notion of arbitrariness with the classical notion of arbitrariness. In this article, the uniqueness of Saussure＇s arbitrariness is illustrated in, relation to the classical arbitrariness.展开更多
This is a study of the feasibility and effects of teaching listening with films and TV programs. The research is a part of the English Learning Program directed by ZHANG Zhen, which is sponsored by Academic Affairs Of...This is a study of the feasibility and effects of teaching listening with films and TV programs. The research is a part of the English Learning Program directed by ZHANG Zhen, which is sponsored by Academic Affairs Office of Leshan Normal University. The researcher of the program sought for theretical bases from Krashen＇s Input Hypothesis, the Motivation Theory, the Context Theory, and the Communicative Language Teaching Theory. Then the author introduced a pilot study conducted by utilizing films or TV programs to teach listening from September 2010 till now. The statistic results from the experiment suggest that there is indeed some correlations between teaching listening with films or TV programs and a learner＇s listening comprehension in general in language achievement tests at certain stages. The scores of the students from the experimental group are improved after two years of teaching with the new methods. Analyses and discussions have been done based on a questionnaire and an interview. The results showed that both the teachers and the students had positive attitudes towards teaching listening with films or TV programs. Most of them view this method as an effective way in ELT （English language teaching）, because it provides more opportunities for contextual practice, lower their anxiety; it can also help to motivate them, stimulate their active participation and increase their activities as well. Therefore, this method can be used to cultivate students＇ communicative competence. Consequently, we can draw the conclusion that this method has some advantages over teaching listening with the pre-taped materials in New College English. It may play an important role in ELT, especially in listening teaching. Based on the statistic analyses and the survey, some activities and techniques are provided for the teacher on how to teach listening with films or TV programs. The roles that an English teacher plays in this method are illustrated at the end of the thesis.展开更多
As a key objective of Rethinking Education, multi-linguistic skill is becoming increasingly important for the future European workers as well as the common folks. Being able to communicate in at least one foreign lang...As a key objective of Rethinking Education, multi-linguistic skill is becoming increasingly important for the future European workers as well as the common folks. Being able to communicate in at least one foreign language is considered to be critical for the future talents against EU＇s vast linguistic diversity and increasing integration. It is widely acknowledged that language competence facilitates mobility, employability, active assimilation, as well as personal development of the individuals, especially the young people, therefore, it is given top priority in the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and employment. This paper is intended to explore the strength of the rethinking program from a linguistic perspective and offer some inspirations to domestic foreign language education reform展开更多
College English teachers in China are often confronted with a number of challenges, such as the large class size, limited contact hours, limited linguistic input and output, test-oriented teaching and learning methods...College English teachers in China are often confronted with a number of challenges, such as the large class size, limited contact hours, limited linguistic input and output, test-oriented teaching and learning methods, and the lack of professional development opportunities, to name a few. As a result, many university students have gained rich linguistic knowledge and yet are poor in communicative competence. This paper reports a longitudinal, 8-year-long study of an English Enhancement Program in a southeast provincial university which follows a new model of college English teaching at the tertiary level in China. This model is supported by the expanded theoretical framework of communicative competence as both its goal and means, one that encompasses linguistic, pragmatic, discourse, strategic, and intercultural competences. This paper further discusses four implementation domains with concrete innovative strategies that sustain the innovation of the program, namely, 1） innovation in academic design and instruction, 2） a placement and assessment system, 3） faculty support and development, and 4） organizational development capacity.展开更多
文摘In the current debates over Saussure＇s principle of arbitrariness, there have occurred some confusions and misunderstandings, especially in the equation of Saussure＇s notion of arbitrariness with the classical notion of arbitrariness. In this article, the uniqueness of Saussure＇s arbitrariness is illustrated in, relation to the classical arbitrariness.
文摘This is a study of the feasibility and effects of teaching listening with films and TV programs. The research is a part of the English Learning Program directed by ZHANG Zhen, which is sponsored by Academic Affairs Office of Leshan Normal University. The researcher of the program sought for theretical bases from Krashen＇s Input Hypothesis, the Motivation Theory, the Context Theory, and the Communicative Language Teaching Theory. Then the author introduced a pilot study conducted by utilizing films or TV programs to teach listening from September 2010 till now. The statistic results from the experiment suggest that there is indeed some correlations between teaching listening with films or TV programs and a learner＇s listening comprehension in general in language achievement tests at certain stages. The scores of the students from the experimental group are improved after two years of teaching with the new methods. Analyses and discussions have been done based on a questionnaire and an interview. The results showed that both the teachers and the students had positive attitudes towards teaching listening with films or TV programs. Most of them view this method as an effective way in ELT （English language teaching）, because it provides more opportunities for contextual practice, lower their anxiety; it can also help to motivate them, stimulate their active participation and increase their activities as well. Therefore, this method can be used to cultivate students＇ communicative competence. Consequently, we can draw the conclusion that this method has some advantages over teaching listening with the pre-taped materials in New College English. It may play an important role in ELT, especially in listening teaching. Based on the statistic analyses and the survey, some activities and techniques are provided for the teacher on how to teach listening with films or TV programs. The roles that an English teacher plays in this method are illustrated at the end of the thesis.
文摘As a key objective of Rethinking Education, multi-linguistic skill is becoming increasingly important for the future European workers as well as the common folks. Being able to communicate in at least one foreign language is considered to be critical for the future talents against EU＇s vast linguistic diversity and increasing integration. It is widely acknowledged that language competence facilitates mobility, employability, active assimilation, as well as personal development of the individuals, especially the young people, therefore, it is given top priority in the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and employment. This paper is intended to explore the strength of the rethinking program from a linguistic perspective and offer some inspirations to domestic foreign language education reform
基金the English Enhancement Program was supported by the Li Kashing Foundation
文摘College English teachers in China are often confronted with a number of challenges, such as the large class size, limited contact hours, limited linguistic input and output, test-oriented teaching and learning methods, and the lack of professional development opportunities, to name a few. As a result, many university students have gained rich linguistic knowledge and yet are poor in communicative competence. This paper reports a longitudinal, 8-year-long study of an English Enhancement Program in a southeast provincial university which follows a new model of college English teaching at the tertiary level in China. This model is supported by the expanded theoretical framework of communicative competence as both its goal and means, one that encompasses linguistic, pragmatic, discourse, strategic, and intercultural competences. This paper further discusses four implementation domains with concrete innovative strategies that sustain the innovation of the program, namely, 1） innovation in academic design and instruction, 2） a placement and assessment system, 3） faculty support and development, and 4） organizational development capacity.
