Past studies reveal the prevalence of anxiety,coupled with low motivation and disengagement among students in English-medium instruction(EMI)programs.Given the detrimental impact these negative emotions can have on le...Past studies reveal the prevalence of anxiety,coupled with low motivation and disengagement among students in English-medium instruction(EMI)programs.Given the detrimental impact these negative emotions can have on learning outcomes,it is imperative that teachers establish positive emotional rapport with their students.This study explores how experienced and highly rated EMI lecturers at a Chinese university’s overseas campus use communication strategies to build rapport with their students during interactive academic activities.It identifies the strategies used by these lecturers and examines how the strategies facilitate the teaching-learning process.The data,consisting of 10 hours of tutorials and 10 hours of supervisor-student supervision meetings,is analyzed using an adapted Conversation Analysis(CA)approach.The analysis reveals three types of communication strategies(CSs)frequently used by lecturers:back-channeling,codeswitching,and co-creation of messages.By employing these strategies,the lecturers established a strong rapport with the students,which created an encouraging and supportive learning environment.Consequently,this positive atmosphere facilitated students’learning of content knowledge through English.The findings of this study have implications for the training of lecturers who encounter difficulties in establishing rapport with multilingual students in the EMI setting.展开更多
Reading and writing are input and output respectively. The relation between reading and writing is closely related. Reading is the preparation for good writing. And writing theory or law can provide readers some clues...Reading and writing are input and output respectively. The relation between reading and writing is closely related. Reading is the preparation for good writing. And writing theory or law can provide readers some clues for better understanding. The relation between reading and writing can help our English teaching in and out class. Also the way of thinking influences our reading and writing.展开更多
As the reverse of language acquisition, language attrition refers to the loss of language ability resulting from little or no use of certain languages over a period of time. Among the three factors of language, vocabu...As the reverse of language acquisition, language attrition refers to the loss of language ability resulting from little or no use of certain languages over a period of time. Among the three factors of language, vocabulary tends to be more vulnerable to attrition compared with syntax and phoneme. Therefore, a study based on vocabulary attrition is of greater importance. By reviewing the literatures on language attrition and outlining the influencing factors of language attrition, the paper tends to figure out the corresponding strategies which are effective in college English vocabulary teaching.展开更多
In the activity of English teaching, how to improve students＇ communicative competence is always deemed as an important factor on which English teaching hinges. This paper starts from the idea of communicative compet...In the activity of English teaching, how to improve students＇ communicative competence is always deemed as an important factor on which English teaching hinges. This paper starts from the idea of communicative competence proposed by linguist Dwell Hymes and then goes deep to find out 4 ways to apply the ideas to spoken English teaching, namely： strengthening students＇ linguistic input through comprehensible listening; getting a feel of how English is spoken idiomatically; administering the teaching materials according to students＇ current linguistic capacity and finally exposing students massively to the target culture. Since this paper is about teaching, the discussion of teacher＇s role will be dealt with at the last part.展开更多
The issue on which this essay focuses is how to adapt the Communicative Language Teaching （CLT） Approach to China＇s context. With the recent accession to the WTO, the long-awaited Olympic games in Beijing, China ha...The issue on which this essay focuses is how to adapt the Communicative Language Teaching （CLT） Approach to China＇s context. With the recent accession to the WTO, the long-awaited Olympic games in Beijing, China has made learning English a national priority. It is very important and necessary to research on how to adapt CLT flexibly and appropriately to China＇s context if most Chinese English learners are to gain a good grasp of oral English, and if specialist learning is to be achieved by those who need English for business and academic purposes. Therefore this essay is structured as follows： First, analyzing the different types of English teaching methods in China and then focusing on the CLT Method. By analyzing and contrasting these English teaching methods, the need to change the current English teaching methods in China will be discovered. Finally, it explains the problems of adopting the more modem CLT Approach and gives suggestions on how it may best be adapted to the Chinese context.展开更多
Vocabulary is a fundamental element of a language. It undertakes the task of conveying semantic meanings. And it guarantees the implement of language communication. Thus, accumulation of a certain amount of vocabulary...Vocabulary is a fundamental element of a language. It undertakes the task of conveying semantic meanings. And it guarantees the implement of language communication. Thus, accumulation of a certain amount of vocabulary and the master of proper use of them is the essential condition of skillful employment of a language. The current lexical teaching in College English is far from satisfaction. Based on the findings of psycholinguistic research, this paper intends to explore an effective way to help the students enlarge their vocabulary and use them correctly with the help of various psychological associations with English vocabulary through analysis of some lexical mistakes committed in students＇ daily writing exercises.展开更多
Teachers’ beliefs toward multilingual awareness in target language learning play a significant role in shaping learners’ attitudes to language awareness, affect learners’ linguistic behavior and teachers’ teaching...Teachers’ beliefs toward multilingual awareness in target language learning play a significant role in shaping learners’ attitudes to language awareness, affect learners’ linguistic behavior and teachers’ teaching practice. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore English teachers’ beliefs about Inner Mongolian university students’ multilingual awareness in L3 learning and their teaching practice in Chinese EFL context. One hundred English teachers from six universities in Inner Mongolia, China, participated in this investigation. The data was collected through a questionnaire and teacher interviews. The results indicate that English teachers hold positive attitudes to multilingual awareness in general;however, there are belief differences between Mongolian and Han teachers;there exist discrepancies between English teachers’ beliefs about multilingual awareness and their teaching practice, and social-cultural environment, family language policy,teacher identity, learning experience, teaching materials, and, more importantly, teachers’ lack of awareness of fostering learners’ multilingual awareness lead to the discrepancies. The present research highlights the necessity of raising teacher awareness of cultivating multilingual awareness in future teacher development and emphasizes the significance of exploring the potential cognitive advantages of multilingualism in promoting L3 learning and developing English learners’ multilingual competence in the EFL context in China.展开更多
In modem society, advertising plays a very important role in people＇s daily life. We can not imagine the world without advertisements. Advertisers try every means to design persuasive advertisements for their product...In modem society, advertising plays a very important role in people＇s daily life. We can not imagine the world without advertisements. Advertisers try every means to design persuasive advertisements for their products by attractive patterns, photos and colors, as well as commonly shared resources of language. The use of presupposition in advertising language, which is an important topic in pragmaties, can serve the function fairly well. This paper first presents a general review of previous studies on presupposition phenomena in advertising language, then investigates the use of presuppositions in advertising language by both qualitative and quantitative analyses. By qualitative analysis, the author tries to explore the functions of each type of presuppositions in advertising texts; by quantitative analysis, 100 sentences selected from various advertisements for different products are examined.展开更多
In the rapidly evolving academic field of CALL （computer-assisted language leaming） in China, it is no longer a question of whether to take advantage of the technologies of computer and Internet in foreign language ...In the rapidly evolving academic field of CALL （computer-assisted language leaming） in China, it is no longer a question of whether to take advantage of the technologies of computer and Internet in foreign language instruction, but of how to make effective use of them. By reviewing the literature of CALL in China and abroad, this article holds the view that in China where the educational resources are insufficient and unevenly distributed, the use of CALL should confirm and expand ESL/EFL theories to the utmost; the research of CALL should focus more on learning or learner, especially on learning strategy in CALL environment; to have a better understanding of the potential and functions of CALL in foreign language instruction, the research of CALL should cover all aspects of language learning.展开更多
English, as a language of wide communication, is an international language in both a global and local sense. Its global spread and evolution have been topics of heated discussion. This paper reviews briefly the histor...English, as a language of wide communication, is an international language in both a global and local sense. Its global spread and evolution have been topics of heated discussion. This paper reviews briefly the history and relevant literature of the globalization of English, and explores its implications in English language teaching, especially in the Chinese context.展开更多
Every day communication is an event in which there is an interactional relationship between interlocutors. This interaction needs whole language in which language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing; as...Every day communication is an event in which there is an interactional relationship between interlocutors. This interaction needs whole language in which language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing; associated knowledge of vocabulary, meaning, syntax, etc.; and also, thinking skills are interwoven. This means that language should be kept whole and ＂if language isn＇t kept whole, it isn＇t language anymore＂ （Rigg, 1991, p. 522, cited in Richards ＆ Rodgers, 2001, p. 109）. In English as a Second Language/English Foreign Language （ESL/EFL） learning settings, improvement in one skill can affect the development of other skills. A particular course may highlight certain skills, but if the teacher is creative or specific tasks and problems are used in language learning settings, learners are provided with the opportunity to improve multiple, integrated skills. This paper aims at elaborating on critical thinking approach to language learning and introducing practical ideas for helping teachers to integrate language and thinking skills. It introduces 3 critical thinking activities （Dialogue journals, reading logs and literacy portfolios）, and also discusses how implementing them can serves as a way to integrate language skills. It also maintains that engaging learners in these activities helps them use authentic materials and solve problems of their own interest that in turn has a positive effect on student＇s motivation.展开更多
Understanding discipline-specific texts in English is a basic requirement for science students, who must develop their content knowledge and language skills. Particularly, interesting is the fact that the language of ...Understanding discipline-specific texts in English is a basic requirement for science students, who must develop their content knowledge and language skills. Particularly, interesting is the fact that the language of science is characterized by the use of figurative language, which appeals to the common knowledge of the world, mainly to explain, clarify, and describe intricate concepts. Metaphors are helpful for lexicalizing new concepts and meanings or extending the meanings of pre-existing words. The analysis of tropes as a means to improve foreign language learners＇ reading competence is a rather novel teaching practice in ESP （English for Specific Purposes）, implemented at the University of Rio Cuarto, Argentina. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explain the theoretical basis for teaching and developing metaphorical competence in ESP classes as a means of providing an intellectually stimulating alternative approach, and to present some teaching ideas and activities designed to familiarize students with the use of metaphorical language in scientific discourse in order to enhance their reading competence.展开更多
文摘Past studies reveal the prevalence of anxiety,coupled with low motivation and disengagement among students in English-medium instruction(EMI)programs.Given the detrimental impact these negative emotions can have on learning outcomes,it is imperative that teachers establish positive emotional rapport with their students.This study explores how experienced and highly rated EMI lecturers at a Chinese university’s overseas campus use communication strategies to build rapport with their students during interactive academic activities.It identifies the strategies used by these lecturers and examines how the strategies facilitate the teaching-learning process.The data,consisting of 10 hours of tutorials and 10 hours of supervisor-student supervision meetings,is analyzed using an adapted Conversation Analysis(CA)approach.The analysis reveals three types of communication strategies(CSs)frequently used by lecturers:back-channeling,codeswitching,and co-creation of messages.By employing these strategies,the lecturers established a strong rapport with the students,which created an encouraging and supportive learning environment.Consequently,this positive atmosphere facilitated students’learning of content knowledge through English.The findings of this study have implications for the training of lecturers who encounter difficulties in establishing rapport with multilingual students in the EMI setting.
文摘Reading and writing are input and output respectively. The relation between reading and writing is closely related. Reading is the preparation for good writing. And writing theory or law can provide readers some clues for better understanding. The relation between reading and writing can help our English teaching in and out class. Also the way of thinking influences our reading and writing.
文摘As the reverse of language acquisition, language attrition refers to the loss of language ability resulting from little or no use of certain languages over a period of time. Among the three factors of language, vocabulary tends to be more vulnerable to attrition compared with syntax and phoneme. Therefore, a study based on vocabulary attrition is of greater importance. By reviewing the literatures on language attrition and outlining the influencing factors of language attrition, the paper tends to figure out the corresponding strategies which are effective in college English vocabulary teaching.
文摘In the activity of English teaching, how to improve students＇ communicative competence is always deemed as an important factor on which English teaching hinges. This paper starts from the idea of communicative competence proposed by linguist Dwell Hymes and then goes deep to find out 4 ways to apply the ideas to spoken English teaching, namely： strengthening students＇ linguistic input through comprehensible listening; getting a feel of how English is spoken idiomatically; administering the teaching materials according to students＇ current linguistic capacity and finally exposing students massively to the target culture. Since this paper is about teaching, the discussion of teacher＇s role will be dealt with at the last part.
文摘The issue on which this essay focuses is how to adapt the Communicative Language Teaching （CLT） Approach to China＇s context. With the recent accession to the WTO, the long-awaited Olympic games in Beijing, China has made learning English a national priority. It is very important and necessary to research on how to adapt CLT flexibly and appropriately to China＇s context if most Chinese English learners are to gain a good grasp of oral English, and if specialist learning is to be achieved by those who need English for business and academic purposes. Therefore this essay is structured as follows： First, analyzing the different types of English teaching methods in China and then focusing on the CLT Method. By analyzing and contrasting these English teaching methods, the need to change the current English teaching methods in China will be discovered. Finally, it explains the problems of adopting the more modem CLT Approach and gives suggestions on how it may best be adapted to the Chinese context.
文摘Vocabulary is a fundamental element of a language. It undertakes the task of conveying semantic meanings. And it guarantees the implement of language communication. Thus, accumulation of a certain amount of vocabulary and the master of proper use of them is the essential condition of skillful employment of a language. The current lexical teaching in College English is far from satisfaction. Based on the findings of psycholinguistic research, this paper intends to explore an effective way to help the students enlarge their vocabulary and use them correctly with the help of various psychological associations with English vocabulary through analysis of some lexical mistakes committed in students＇ daily writing exercises.
文摘Teachers’ beliefs toward multilingual awareness in target language learning play a significant role in shaping learners’ attitudes to language awareness, affect learners’ linguistic behavior and teachers’ teaching practice. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore English teachers’ beliefs about Inner Mongolian university students’ multilingual awareness in L3 learning and their teaching practice in Chinese EFL context. One hundred English teachers from six universities in Inner Mongolia, China, participated in this investigation. The data was collected through a questionnaire and teacher interviews. The results indicate that English teachers hold positive attitudes to multilingual awareness in general;however, there are belief differences between Mongolian and Han teachers;there exist discrepancies between English teachers’ beliefs about multilingual awareness and their teaching practice, and social-cultural environment, family language policy,teacher identity, learning experience, teaching materials, and, more importantly, teachers’ lack of awareness of fostering learners’ multilingual awareness lead to the discrepancies. The present research highlights the necessity of raising teacher awareness of cultivating multilingual awareness in future teacher development and emphasizes the significance of exploring the potential cognitive advantages of multilingualism in promoting L3 learning and developing English learners’ multilingual competence in the EFL context in China.
文摘In modem society, advertising plays a very important role in people＇s daily life. We can not imagine the world without advertisements. Advertisers try every means to design persuasive advertisements for their products by attractive patterns, photos and colors, as well as commonly shared resources of language. The use of presupposition in advertising language, which is an important topic in pragmaties, can serve the function fairly well. This paper first presents a general review of previous studies on presupposition phenomena in advertising language, then investigates the use of presuppositions in advertising language by both qualitative and quantitative analyses. By qualitative analysis, the author tries to explore the functions of each type of presuppositions in advertising texts; by quantitative analysis, 100 sentences selected from various advertisements for different products are examined.
文摘In the rapidly evolving academic field of CALL （computer-assisted language leaming） in China, it is no longer a question of whether to take advantage of the technologies of computer and Internet in foreign language instruction, but of how to make effective use of them. By reviewing the literature of CALL in China and abroad, this article holds the view that in China where the educational resources are insufficient and unevenly distributed, the use of CALL should confirm and expand ESL/EFL theories to the utmost; the research of CALL should focus more on learning or learner, especially on learning strategy in CALL environment; to have a better understanding of the potential and functions of CALL in foreign language instruction, the research of CALL should cover all aspects of language learning.
文摘English, as a language of wide communication, is an international language in both a global and local sense. Its global spread and evolution have been topics of heated discussion. This paper reviews briefly the history and relevant literature of the globalization of English, and explores its implications in English language teaching, especially in the Chinese context.
文摘Every day communication is an event in which there is an interactional relationship between interlocutors. This interaction needs whole language in which language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing; associated knowledge of vocabulary, meaning, syntax, etc.; and also, thinking skills are interwoven. This means that language should be kept whole and ＂if language isn＇t kept whole, it isn＇t language anymore＂ （Rigg, 1991, p. 522, cited in Richards ＆ Rodgers, 2001, p. 109）. In English as a Second Language/English Foreign Language （ESL/EFL） learning settings, improvement in one skill can affect the development of other skills. A particular course may highlight certain skills, but if the teacher is creative or specific tasks and problems are used in language learning settings, learners are provided with the opportunity to improve multiple, integrated skills. This paper aims at elaborating on critical thinking approach to language learning and introducing practical ideas for helping teachers to integrate language and thinking skills. It introduces 3 critical thinking activities （Dialogue journals, reading logs and literacy portfolios）, and also discusses how implementing them can serves as a way to integrate language skills. It also maintains that engaging learners in these activities helps them use authentic materials and solve problems of their own interest that in turn has a positive effect on student＇s motivation.
文摘Understanding discipline-specific texts in English is a basic requirement for science students, who must develop their content knowledge and language skills. Particularly, interesting is the fact that the language of science is characterized by the use of figurative language, which appeals to the common knowledge of the world, mainly to explain, clarify, and describe intricate concepts. Metaphors are helpful for lexicalizing new concepts and meanings or extending the meanings of pre-existing words. The analysis of tropes as a means to improve foreign language learners＇ reading competence is a rather novel teaching practice in ESP （English for Specific Purposes）, implemented at the University of Rio Cuarto, Argentina. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explain the theoretical basis for teaching and developing metaphorical competence in ESP classes as a means of providing an intellectually stimulating alternative approach, and to present some teaching ideas and activities designed to familiarize students with the use of metaphorical language in scientific discourse in order to enhance their reading competence.
