In real-time situation, listeners rely on linguistic knowledge as well as contextual information to process acoustic signals, while presently in China, most listening comprehension tests do not include visuals (visua...In real-time situation, listeners rely on linguistic knowledge as well as contextual information to process acoustic signals, while presently in China, most listening comprehension tests do not include visuals (visuals bearing content or contextual information) to facilitate the listening. The present paper chooses several simulated CET-3 listening comprehension as the experimental materials and tries to investigate the effects of different types of visuals, such as pictures, diagrams, and photos of the speakers' part, with items on the CET-3 listening tests.展开更多
Many assessment skills are quite conducive for administering practical and effective tests and especially to ELL students. There is no perfect assessment to ELL students, and every assessment has its own limitations. ...Many assessment skills are quite conducive for administering practical and effective tests and especially to ELL students. There is no perfect assessment to ELL students, and every assessment has its own limitations. The testing scores are influenced by a wide range of factors, such as the level of effort, study habits, the learning atmosphere, and physical state and so on. Therefore, self-concept and academic achievement are highly correlated.展开更多
There has been close relationship between English test method and teaching method. When we make great efforts to reform the English teaching method we should improve the English test method. In this way, we can increa...There has been close relationship between English test method and teaching method. When we make great efforts to reform the English teaching method we should improve the English test method. In this way, we can increase the test efficiency, trustiness, English teaching quality and evaluation function, to transform the teaching from examination-oriented education into quality education.展开更多
This study applied both inductive approach and deductive approach with multimedia assistance into an English grammar class on the acquisition of subjunctive mood. It aimed to investigate whether this kind of teaching ...This study applied both inductive approach and deductive approach with multimedia assistance into an English grammar class on the acquisition of subjunctive mood. It aimed to investigate whether this kind of teaching approach, as a general grammar pedagogy, would improve the efficiency of students' acquisition of certain grammar points. This study results from comparison and contrast between one same class on the acquisition of subjunctive mood to 70 students in total, employing three different teaching methods: inductive approach with multimedia assistance (method 1), deductive approach with multimedia assistance (method 2), and both inductive approach and deductive approach with multimedia assistance (method 3), based on self-reported reflection on the experiment, observation of students' learning process, students' pre-test and after-class evaluation test results, and surveys. Two identical experiments were conducted to two groups of students of different levels of language proficiency to increase the generalizability of the results. Findings revealed that the evaluation test score of the grammatical points taught with method 3 is much higher than those taught with the other two methods, and most students felt positive about method 3. Students nevertheless encounter obvious difficulties in inductive approach, indicating certain lack of self-learning skills in Chinese students展开更多
An empirical study is conducted to examine the effect of constructing sense relations in vocabulary teaching. Fifty subjects are divided into two groups: the controlled group which was taught with traditional method,...An empirical study is conducted to examine the effect of constructing sense relations in vocabulary teaching. Fifty subjects are divided into two groups: the controlled group which was taught with traditional method, and the experimental group to which sense relation strategy was applied in vocabulary instruction. At the end of the experiment instruction, a test (depth of vocabulary knowledge measure) was given to examine the teaching effects of the two vocabulary teaching strategies. The target words in the tests were selected from the word list that had been taught during the experiment time. A delayed vocabulary posttest was given to the subjects two weeks after examining the long-term retention effect. The third test was administered with different targets words which were selected from a different intensive reading material which wass new to the subjects. The experiment proves that constructing sense relations in vocabulary teaching could produce satisfactory results by enhancing students' lexical capacity and long-term retention.展开更多
This invited paper reviews recent initiatives in teaching about randomized field trials at the graduate level in education research. Reports in a book on randomized trials by Mosteller and Boruch are used as a benchma...This invited paper reviews recent initiatives in teaching about randomized field trials at the graduate level in education research. Reports in a book on randomized trials by Mosteller and Boruch are used as a benchmark. The initiatives have been driven heavily by recent governmental emphasis on "evidence based policy" in education, criminology, welfare and other sectors. This policy has been backed, in the US at least, by substantial investments in mounting randomized controlled trials to evaluate curriculum packages and programs in grades K-12, crime prevention programs, welfare, and other work. Accelerated growth in randomized trials has entailed cross discipline pre-doctoral and post-doctoral institutes and graduate education programs aimed at enhancing the quality in trial design, execution, and analysis of results. Specific illustrations of graduate education in this area of statistics are taken mainly from experience at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and selected other institutions.展开更多
Successful language learning entails two levels of competence: adequate control of the grammatical system of the target language and ability to effectively communicate in pragmatic contexts. Espoused by the mantra of...Successful language learning entails two levels of competence: adequate control of the grammatical system of the target language and ability to effectively communicate in pragmatic contexts. Espoused by the mantra of much inculcated communicative orientation in English language teaching and learning, the divination points to pedagogical trends which essentially )ettison grammar instruction in the classroom. However, language is not merely a tool of communication but an instrument of social control, political power, and economic mobility, all of which require not only skills to "get your message across" by whatever means, but more importantly, the accurate use of and facility with language that has been codified and assessed formally by standardized tests. This paper critically examines the role of grammatical accuracy and its relation to communication in terms of social and academic functions of English and advocates a revival of currently penurious grammar instruction. Examples from both native and nonnative speakers of English are used to illustrate the interface between grammar and social and political dimensions of communication through language.展开更多
文摘In real-time situation, listeners rely on linguistic knowledge as well as contextual information to process acoustic signals, while presently in China, most listening comprehension tests do not include visuals (visuals bearing content or contextual information) to facilitate the listening. The present paper chooses several simulated CET-3 listening comprehension as the experimental materials and tries to investigate the effects of different types of visuals, such as pictures, diagrams, and photos of the speakers' part, with items on the CET-3 listening tests.
文摘Many assessment skills are quite conducive for administering practical and effective tests and especially to ELL students. There is no perfect assessment to ELL students, and every assessment has its own limitations. The testing scores are influenced by a wide range of factors, such as the level of effort, study habits, the learning atmosphere, and physical state and so on. Therefore, self-concept and academic achievement are highly correlated.
文摘There has been close relationship between English test method and teaching method. When we make great efforts to reform the English teaching method we should improve the English test method. In this way, we can increase the test efficiency, trustiness, English teaching quality and evaluation function, to transform the teaching from examination-oriented education into quality education.
文摘This study applied both inductive approach and deductive approach with multimedia assistance into an English grammar class on the acquisition of subjunctive mood. It aimed to investigate whether this kind of teaching approach, as a general grammar pedagogy, would improve the efficiency of students' acquisition of certain grammar points. This study results from comparison and contrast between one same class on the acquisition of subjunctive mood to 70 students in total, employing three different teaching methods: inductive approach with multimedia assistance (method 1), deductive approach with multimedia assistance (method 2), and both inductive approach and deductive approach with multimedia assistance (method 3), based on self-reported reflection on the experiment, observation of students' learning process, students' pre-test and after-class evaluation test results, and surveys. Two identical experiments were conducted to two groups of students of different levels of language proficiency to increase the generalizability of the results. Findings revealed that the evaluation test score of the grammatical points taught with method 3 is much higher than those taught with the other two methods, and most students felt positive about method 3. Students nevertheless encounter obvious difficulties in inductive approach, indicating certain lack of self-learning skills in Chinese students
文摘An empirical study is conducted to examine the effect of constructing sense relations in vocabulary teaching. Fifty subjects are divided into two groups: the controlled group which was taught with traditional method, and the experimental group to which sense relation strategy was applied in vocabulary instruction. At the end of the experiment instruction, a test (depth of vocabulary knowledge measure) was given to examine the teaching effects of the two vocabulary teaching strategies. The target words in the tests were selected from the word list that had been taught during the experiment time. A delayed vocabulary posttest was given to the subjects two weeks after examining the long-term retention effect. The third test was administered with different targets words which were selected from a different intensive reading material which wass new to the subjects. The experiment proves that constructing sense relations in vocabulary teaching could produce satisfactory results by enhancing students' lexical capacity and long-term retention.
文摘This invited paper reviews recent initiatives in teaching about randomized field trials at the graduate level in education research. Reports in a book on randomized trials by Mosteller and Boruch are used as a benchmark. The initiatives have been driven heavily by recent governmental emphasis on "evidence based policy" in education, criminology, welfare and other sectors. This policy has been backed, in the US at least, by substantial investments in mounting randomized controlled trials to evaluate curriculum packages and programs in grades K-12, crime prevention programs, welfare, and other work. Accelerated growth in randomized trials has entailed cross discipline pre-doctoral and post-doctoral institutes and graduate education programs aimed at enhancing the quality in trial design, execution, and analysis of results. Specific illustrations of graduate education in this area of statistics are taken mainly from experience at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education and selected other institutions.
文摘Successful language learning entails two levels of competence: adequate control of the grammatical system of the target language and ability to effectively communicate in pragmatic contexts. Espoused by the mantra of much inculcated communicative orientation in English language teaching and learning, the divination points to pedagogical trends which essentially )ettison grammar instruction in the classroom. However, language is not merely a tool of communication but an instrument of social control, political power, and economic mobility, all of which require not only skills to "get your message across" by whatever means, but more importantly, the accurate use of and facility with language that has been codified and assessed formally by standardized tests. This paper critically examines the role of grammatical accuracy and its relation to communication in terms of social and academic functions of English and advocates a revival of currently penurious grammar instruction. Examples from both native and nonnative speakers of English are used to illustrate the interface between grammar and social and political dimensions of communication through language.