This article makes an investigation of 114 English majors' level of a particular communicative performance and the general ability to perform in small-group conversations in their conversation class, and thereafter e...This article makes an investigation of 114 English majors' level of a particular communicative performance and the general ability to perform in small-group conversations in their conversation class, and thereafter explores the reasons for their current level with the aid of questionnaire based on a rating scale, together with observation and interviews. Some countermeasures are provided to call for teachers' attention in their teaching practice.展开更多
From 1970 onwards, Halliday worked on the functional aspect of grammar. He mentioned the language as a form of "doing" rather than a form of "knowing". He believes that language is what it is because it has to ser...From 1970 onwards, Halliday worked on the functional aspect of grammar. He mentioned the language as a form of "doing" rather than a form of "knowing". He believes that language is what it is because it has to serve certain function. In other words, social demands on language have helped to shape its structure. This theory distinguishes linguistic behavior potential from actual linguistic behavior. That means the speaker can do many things in certain language: making an invitation, expressing hope, inquiry, agreement, refuse and etc. Therefore EFL teaching is to develop the abilities to communicate with others, that is, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating. This paper wants to discuss Halliday's theory about the functional approach and how to make good use of it to the language leaming and teaching.展开更多
The findings of the study indicate that students prefer to engage in the vocabulary learning strategies that would be most appealing to them and that would entail less manipulation of the language. Of the four vocabul...The findings of the study indicate that students prefer to engage in the vocabulary learning strategies that would be most appealing to them and that would entail less manipulation of the language. Of the four vocabulary memorizing strategies cited in the study (rote repetition, structural associations, semantic strategies, and mnemonic keyword techniques), students apparently tended to favor the second and the third ones, though rote repetition remains appealing to some of them. Mnemonic devices such as keyword method were rather unpopular to most of the students because they would involve the learners in more active performance of the target language.展开更多
This essay mainly explores the present situation of students' drawbacks in learning English grammar, especially the section of subjunctive mood and analyzes the definition and the usage of subjunctive mood as well as...This essay mainly explores the present situation of students' drawbacks in learning English grammar, especially the section of subjunctive mood and analyzes the definition and the usage of subjunctive mood as well as the basic causes to the above-mentioned phenomenon. Finally it presents some practical solutions according to the writer's years of experience in learning English.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
As we enter the 21st century, acquisition of vocabulary has assumed a more important role, and as some would argue, it has assumed the central role in learning a second language. On one hand, students have a strong de...As we enter the 21st century, acquisition of vocabulary has assumed a more important role, and as some would argue, it has assumed the central role in learning a second language. On one hand, students have a strong desire to improve their English level in order to make them more adaptable when they step into this competitive society after graduation. On the other hand, most students are facing a great difficulty in learning a large number of vocabularies though they do spend a lot of time and energy on it. Also, recent researches show that students don't like the classroom that is still teacher-centered and lecture-based. They want to be more involved in class and more responsible for their own studies. Hence, it is important to equip students with necessary strategies for dealing with vocabulary learning activities. In this paper, three strategies are recommended: extensive listening & reading and contextual guesswork, communicative activities and group-work and the use of dictionary.展开更多
All of us make conversations with others in a certain social context every day, though the mode to start them is various from different persons, occasions and circumstances. This paper is an attempt to analyze the var...All of us make conversations with others in a certain social context every day, though the mode to start them is various from different persons, occasions and circumstances. This paper is an attempt to analyze the variety of modes to open a conversation in different situations from the viewpoint of discourse analysis.展开更多
This paper is prompted by a "strange phenomenon" in L2 teaching and learning as related to listening: it is regarded as "easy" by teachers, but "difficult" by students. The paper tries to analyze the difficulti...This paper is prompted by a "strange phenomenon" in L2 teaching and learning as related to listening: it is regarded as "easy" by teachers, but "difficult" by students. The paper tries to analyze the difficulties encountered by the L2 learners in the process of acquiring listening skills and competence in an attempt to find out how these problems are related to classroom teaching, and their implications for pedagogical classroom practice.展开更多
Different from literary English which tends to give a subjective description, culinary English tends to give an objective one. In addition, culinary English has other unique features as shown in this paper.
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
This article does some researches on the impact of English Immersion on children. Through the practice and observation of children in the immersion program, we find that English Immersion has the following impacts on ...This article does some researches on the impact of English Immersion on children. Through the practice and observation of children in the immersion program, we find that English Immersion has the following impacts on children: 1) The English language learning is immersed into the process of thematic activities, Children in the Immersion learn English naturally, joyfully and systematically. They tend to cooperate well. 2) The language immersion is an integrated model in which children feel no cultural barriers. 3) English learning enhances the learning of Pingying, and vice versa. 4) There is little gap between genders. 5) Social and economic difference does not influence their learning. 6) English rhyming, chanting and songs arouse great interest in them. 7) Drama makes children very confident in their performance. They learn to think and settle problems through the performance. English immersion gives children cognitive development and enforces the language they are learning.展开更多
With the development of the society, culture is becoming a crucial factor in language teaching. This paper tries to discuss in detail how to do culture teaching effectively from the following aspects: plotting, theme...With the development of the society, culture is becoming a crucial factor in language teaching. This paper tries to discuss in detail how to do culture teaching effectively from the following aspects: plotting, theme, rhythm, flow and ending.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
Through the analysis of the translation of words, phrases, sentences and passages, this paper discusses the problem of whether to put emphasis on the translation of the meaning or on the reservation of the forms of th...Through the analysis of the translation of words, phrases, sentences and passages, this paper discusses the problem of whether to put emphasis on the translation of the meaning or on the reservation of the forms of the original works in translation. This paper puts forward that the translation of the meaning is more important, and the meaning of the original should take the advantage when the forms and the meanings cannot be reserved at the same time. And it also says that in no way should the translator sacrifice the translation of the meaning for the sake of keeping the form, and the translator should avoid translating word for word without thinking of the translation of the meaning. This paper also discusses about the consideration of the style of the original, the target readers and the style of the writer. This paper puts forward that in translation importance should be placed on the translation of the meaning rather than keeping the form.展开更多
It is assumed that the success of learner training in other subjects is applicable to language learning. But little has been done to prove this. In this article this assumption will be proved to be true through school...It is assumed that the success of learner training in other subjects is applicable to language learning. But little has been done to prove this. In this article this assumption will be proved to be true through school report analysis.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
文摘This article makes an investigation of 114 English majors' level of a particular communicative performance and the general ability to perform in small-group conversations in their conversation class, and thereafter explores the reasons for their current level with the aid of questionnaire based on a rating scale, together with observation and interviews. Some countermeasures are provided to call for teachers' attention in their teaching practice.
文摘From 1970 onwards, Halliday worked on the functional aspect of grammar. He mentioned the language as a form of "doing" rather than a form of "knowing". He believes that language is what it is because it has to serve certain function. In other words, social demands on language have helped to shape its structure. This theory distinguishes linguistic behavior potential from actual linguistic behavior. That means the speaker can do many things in certain language: making an invitation, expressing hope, inquiry, agreement, refuse and etc. Therefore EFL teaching is to develop the abilities to communicate with others, that is, listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating. This paper wants to discuss Halliday's theory about the functional approach and how to make good use of it to the language leaming and teaching.
文摘The findings of the study indicate that students prefer to engage in the vocabulary learning strategies that would be most appealing to them and that would entail less manipulation of the language. Of the four vocabulary memorizing strategies cited in the study (rote repetition, structural associations, semantic strategies, and mnemonic keyword techniques), students apparently tended to favor the second and the third ones, though rote repetition remains appealing to some of them. Mnemonic devices such as keyword method were rather unpopular to most of the students because they would involve the learners in more active performance of the target language.
文摘This essay mainly explores the present situation of students' drawbacks in learning English grammar, especially the section of subjunctive mood and analyzes the definition and the usage of subjunctive mood as well as the basic causes to the above-mentioned phenomenon. Finally it presents some practical solutions according to the writer's years of experience in learning English.
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As we enter the 21st century, acquisition of vocabulary has assumed a more important role, and as some would argue, it has assumed the central role in learning a second language. On one hand, students have a strong desire to improve their English level in order to make them more adaptable when they step into this competitive society after graduation. On the other hand, most students are facing a great difficulty in learning a large number of vocabularies though they do spend a lot of time and energy on it. Also, recent researches show that students don't like the classroom that is still teacher-centered and lecture-based. They want to be more involved in class and more responsible for their own studies. Hence, it is important to equip students with necessary strategies for dealing with vocabulary learning activities. In this paper, three strategies are recommended: extensive listening & reading and contextual guesswork, communicative activities and group-work and the use of dictionary.
文摘All of us make conversations with others in a certain social context every day, though the mode to start them is various from different persons, occasions and circumstances. This paper is an attempt to analyze the variety of modes to open a conversation in different situations from the viewpoint of discourse analysis.
文摘This paper is prompted by a "strange phenomenon" in L2 teaching and learning as related to listening: it is regarded as "easy" by teachers, but "difficult" by students. The paper tries to analyze the difficulties encountered by the L2 learners in the process of acquiring listening skills and competence in an attempt to find out how these problems are related to classroom teaching, and their implications for pedagogical classroom practice.
文摘Different from literary English which tends to give a subjective description, culinary English tends to give an objective one. In addition, culinary English has other unique features as shown in this paper.
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This article does some researches on the impact of English Immersion on children. Through the practice and observation of children in the immersion program, we find that English Immersion has the following impacts on children: 1) The English language learning is immersed into the process of thematic activities, Children in the Immersion learn English naturally, joyfully and systematically. They tend to cooperate well. 2) The language immersion is an integrated model in which children feel no cultural barriers. 3) English learning enhances the learning of Pingying, and vice versa. 4) There is little gap between genders. 5) Social and economic difference does not influence their learning. 6) English rhyming, chanting and songs arouse great interest in them. 7) Drama makes children very confident in their performance. They learn to think and settle problems through the performance. English immersion gives children cognitive development and enforces the language they are learning.
文摘With the development of the society, culture is becoming a crucial factor in language teaching. This paper tries to discuss in detail how to do culture teaching effectively from the following aspects: plotting, theme, rhythm, flow and ending.
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Through the analysis of the translation of words, phrases, sentences and passages, this paper discusses the problem of whether to put emphasis on the translation of the meaning or on the reservation of the forms of the original works in translation. This paper puts forward that the translation of the meaning is more important, and the meaning of the original should take the advantage when the forms and the meanings cannot be reserved at the same time. And it also says that in no way should the translator sacrifice the translation of the meaning for the sake of keeping the form, and the translator should avoid translating word for word without thinking of the translation of the meaning. This paper also discusses about the consideration of the style of the original, the target readers and the style of the writer. This paper puts forward that in translation importance should be placed on the translation of the meaning rather than keeping the form.
文摘It is assumed that the success of learner training in other subjects is applicable to language learning. But little has been done to prove this. In this article this assumption will be proved to be true through school report analysis.
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.