This paper addresses the issue of Chinese students＇ oral English skills in talking about Chinese culture from the perspective of conversation analysis. To examine their performance in this regard, group discussion da...This paper addresses the issue of Chinese students＇ oral English skills in talking about Chinese culture from the perspective of conversation analysis. To examine their performance in this regard, group discussion data in the classroom were collected for analysis. Their oral skills in talking about Chinese New Year and Christmas, a Western festival, were analyzed and compared to determine their oral performance in describing their native culture. Comments by two native English speakers on the students＇ performance are used to complement the conversation analysis. The results indicate that, compared with their performance regarding Christmas, the students were able to express a wider range of cultural connotations about Chinese New Year in English, but they used significantly fewer correct culturally-loaded words and phrases, and switched to Chinese much more frequently, suggesting unsatisfactory oral skills in describing Chinese culture.展开更多
With the fast development of science and technology, English is becoming more and more important. Concerning English learning, we should focus our attention on listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating. Co...With the fast development of science and technology, English is becoming more and more important. Concerning English learning, we should focus our attention on listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating. Comparatively speaking, listening and speaking skills are more practical. But how to improve these skills? Everyone knows that the only effective way to improve language skills is to use the language. In reality, however, we know that there are many reasons why people don’t want to speak in another language——they are afraid of making mistakes, they can’t express their real meaning easily, they are shy, they are afraid people will laugh at them. We feel this way sometimes, but if you are sure that you really want to improve your English, try some of the suggestions that have been made here.展开更多
EAP class offers opportunities to international students doing various courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The EAP course could not only enhance the communication skills of the international student...EAP class offers opportunities to international students doing various courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The EAP course could not only enhance the communication skills of the international students, but also improve their knowledge of English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure and composition skills. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the useful teaching method teacher used in class, and help different students improving their English skills.展开更多
The paper is an analysis of how much success Thai teachers of English have had throughout four decades of teaching English as a Foreign Language （TEFL） and the future direction to take. Thai teachers are aware that ...The paper is an analysis of how much success Thai teachers of English have had throughout four decades of teaching English as a Foreign Language （TEFL） and the future direction to take. Thai teachers are aware that their students are not confident of their speaking abilities. That is why they try to avoid making mistakes in pronunciation and connected speech making as mistakes are taken as signs of inability. It is a common sight in an English class that Thai students prefer to remain in their comfort zone of using the Thai language. Speaking is a productive skill; teaching someone to speak cannot be successfully done through listening to the ＂how to＂ lecture. The author proposes that to dream a possible dream, the teachers need to change their course design to adopt the goals of English for communication and enhancement of soft skills such as networking skill, teamwork skill, self-management skill, creativity, and work attitude. An example of a course design used is discussed with the underlining learning theories for the course, the course organization, and the fruits of this endeavor. This course is adopting the ＂Teach Less and Learn More＂ approach, a route to take for real learning.展开更多
Higher vocational English education major is an important channel to train teaching staff for primary and secondary schools of China and professional skill is one of essential factors which forms the training goal of ...Higher vocational English education major is an important channel to train teaching staff for primary and secondary schools of China and professional skill is one of essential factors which forms the training goal of higher vocational English education.In view of this, this article summarizes the current status of practice teaching of higher vocational English education which aims to explore a set of teaching ideas, teaching modes and teaching theories that suit professional skills training practice of higher vocational education, so as to find some effective teaching methods for professional skill training practice to meet the social requirements for the graduates and pave the way for their future employment.展开更多
In order to develop the speaking skills of Chinese middle school students, Chinese middle school English teachers must guide the students to speak through practical speaking activities that arouse the students＇ inter...In order to develop the speaking skills of Chinese middle school students, Chinese middle school English teachers must guide the students to speak through practical speaking activities that arouse the students＇ interest, encourage the use of real language and be used with large classes.展开更多
Reading miscue analysis is a tool on meaning-making construction in authentic oral reading. Since it reflects one's reallanguage proficiency, the patterns of miscues provide information on how the reader integrate...Reading miscue analysis is a tool on meaning-making construction in authentic oral reading. Since it reflects one's reallanguage proficiency, the patterns of miscues provide information on how the reader integrates the language cueing systems duringthe reading process in order to construct meaning. The purpose of this miscue analysis is using miscues collected from three cueingsystems as clues to analyze reader's misinterpretations after reading and give recommendations to improve the reader's readingskills.展开更多
With the popularization of college education, the English level of freshmen majoring in English language has been declining. To maintain the required English level of the graduates, training the English language skill...With the popularization of college education, the English level of freshmen majoring in English language has been declining. To maintain the required English level of the graduates, training the English language skill should underlie every English course offered. As an advanced comprehensive course, the course-Reading Newspapers and Magazines in English-is supposed to train the skills of its students in every aspect as possible. This task should be the focal point to be considered when the teacher is involved in instructional design. This paper intends to introduce some methods on how to combine English skill training and English newspaper reading together.展开更多
This study aimed at investigating the effect of a proposed EFL （English as a Foreign Language） training program on the teachers＇ reading practices in Mafraq. This program was developed by the researcher according t...This study aimed at investigating the effect of a proposed EFL （English as a Foreign Language） training program on the teachers＇ reading practices in Mafraq. This program was developed by the researcher according to the ninth-grade EFL teachers＇ needs. The participants of the study were 20 ninth-grade females EFL teachers who represented the experimental and control groups （10 teachers in each group）. They were randomly chosen from 10 schools in the Northwestern Badia Directorate of Education. To achieve the purposes of the study, the researcher designed a needs analysis questionnaire, a training program, a pre and post observation checklist, and a pre and post received knowledge test for teachers. Proper statistical analysis was used to analyze the results of the research questions. The results of the study showed that teachers were in need to be trained on 20 reading comprehension practices to be able to teach reading comprehension effectively. Besides, there were statistically significant differences at the level of （a = 0.05） between the means scores of the ninth-grade teachers＇ performance of the control and experimental groups on the post observation checklist and on the post received knowledge test in favor of the experimental group due to the training program.展开更多
IntroductionWriting in English for Chinese students can be both difficult and challenging.Most of them lack ideasfor writing and knowledge about how to write.Furthermore,students in some universities learn verylittle ...IntroductionWriting in English for Chinese students can be both difficult and challenging.Most of them lack ideasfor writing and knowledge about how to write.Furthermore,students in some universities learn verylittle in their writing courses about methods of writing effectively.They may need more input andguidance in order to write both easily and naturally.In order to solve these problems,the first thing to dois to examine the writing background in some Chinese universities.展开更多
文摘This paper addresses the issue of Chinese students＇ oral English skills in talking about Chinese culture from the perspective of conversation analysis. To examine their performance in this regard, group discussion data in the classroom were collected for analysis. Their oral skills in talking about Chinese New Year and Christmas, a Western festival, were analyzed and compared to determine their oral performance in describing their native culture. Comments by two native English speakers on the students＇ performance are used to complement the conversation analysis. The results indicate that, compared with their performance regarding Christmas, the students were able to express a wider range of cultural connotations about Chinese New Year in English, but they used significantly fewer correct culturally-loaded words and phrases, and switched to Chinese much more frequently, suggesting unsatisfactory oral skills in describing Chinese culture.
文摘With the fast development of science and technology, English is becoming more and more important. Concerning English learning, we should focus our attention on listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating. Comparatively speaking, listening and speaking skills are more practical. But how to improve these skills? Everyone knows that the only effective way to improve language skills is to use the language. In reality, however, we know that there are many reasons why people don’t want to speak in another language——they are afraid of making mistakes, they can’t express their real meaning easily, they are shy, they are afraid people will laugh at them. We feel this way sometimes, but if you are sure that you really want to improve your English, try some of the suggestions that have been made here.
文摘EAP class offers opportunities to international students doing various courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The EAP course could not only enhance the communication skills of the international students, but also improve their knowledge of English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure and composition skills. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the useful teaching method teacher used in class, and help different students improving their English skills.
文摘The paper is an analysis of how much success Thai teachers of English have had throughout four decades of teaching English as a Foreign Language （TEFL） and the future direction to take. Thai teachers are aware that their students are not confident of their speaking abilities. That is why they try to avoid making mistakes in pronunciation and connected speech making as mistakes are taken as signs of inability. It is a common sight in an English class that Thai students prefer to remain in their comfort zone of using the Thai language. Speaking is a productive skill; teaching someone to speak cannot be successfully done through listening to the ＂how to＂ lecture. The author proposes that to dream a possible dream, the teachers need to change their course design to adopt the goals of English for communication and enhancement of soft skills such as networking skill, teamwork skill, self-management skill, creativity, and work attitude. An example of a course design used is discussed with the underlining learning theories for the course, the course organization, and the fruits of this endeavor. This course is adopting the ＂Teach Less and Learn More＂ approach, a route to take for real learning.
文摘Higher vocational English education major is an important channel to train teaching staff for primary and secondary schools of China and professional skill is one of essential factors which forms the training goal of higher vocational English education.In view of this, this article summarizes the current status of practice teaching of higher vocational English education which aims to explore a set of teaching ideas, teaching modes and teaching theories that suit professional skills training practice of higher vocational education, so as to find some effective teaching methods for professional skill training practice to meet the social requirements for the graduates and pave the way for their future employment.
文摘In order to develop the speaking skills of Chinese middle school students, Chinese middle school English teachers must guide the students to speak through practical speaking activities that arouse the students＇ interest, encourage the use of real language and be used with large classes.
文摘Reading miscue analysis is a tool on meaning-making construction in authentic oral reading. Since it reflects one's reallanguage proficiency, the patterns of miscues provide information on how the reader integrates the language cueing systems duringthe reading process in order to construct meaning. The purpose of this miscue analysis is using miscues collected from three cueingsystems as clues to analyze reader's misinterpretations after reading and give recommendations to improve the reader's readingskills.
文摘With the popularization of college education, the English level of freshmen majoring in English language has been declining. To maintain the required English level of the graduates, training the English language skill should underlie every English course offered. As an advanced comprehensive course, the course-Reading Newspapers and Magazines in English-is supposed to train the skills of its students in every aspect as possible. This task should be the focal point to be considered when the teacher is involved in instructional design. This paper intends to introduce some methods on how to combine English skill training and English newspaper reading together.
文摘This study aimed at investigating the effect of a proposed EFL （English as a Foreign Language） training program on the teachers＇ reading practices in Mafraq. This program was developed by the researcher according to the ninth-grade EFL teachers＇ needs. The participants of the study were 20 ninth-grade females EFL teachers who represented the experimental and control groups （10 teachers in each group）. They were randomly chosen from 10 schools in the Northwestern Badia Directorate of Education. To achieve the purposes of the study, the researcher designed a needs analysis questionnaire, a training program, a pre and post observation checklist, and a pre and post received knowledge test for teachers. Proper statistical analysis was used to analyze the results of the research questions. The results of the study showed that teachers were in need to be trained on 20 reading comprehension practices to be able to teach reading comprehension effectively. Besides, there were statistically significant differences at the level of （a = 0.05） between the means scores of the ninth-grade teachers＇ performance of the control and experimental groups on the post observation checklist and on the post received knowledge test in favor of the experimental group due to the training program.
文摘IntroductionWriting in English for Chinese students can be both difficult and challenging.Most of them lack ideasfor writing and knowledge about how to write.Furthermore,students in some universities learn verylittle in their writing courses about methods of writing effectively.They may need more input andguidance in order to write both easily and naturally.In order to solve these problems,the first thing to dois to examine the writing background in some Chinese universities.
