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Towards more effective approaches in teaching oral English to Chinese students in EFL teaching

This study examines the problems involved in oral
English teaching in the Chinese tertiary institution Erwai
(the Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute). In the
study the author analyses oral English teaching in China
based on his experience as a teacher of English in China,
his two-year study experience as a student in Australia,
interviews with colleagues, and class observation of oral
English teaching by Australian teachers in the C.C.A.E.
Special English Programme. Some materials from Erwai are
also drawn on in the study, such as Erwai-compiled
textbooks and the Erwai teaching curriculum. During the
study the author has referred to many books and journals on
TESOL in various libraries in Canberra. The theoretical
knowledge and teaching techniques learned in the TESOL
Programme at the Canberra College of Advanced Education have
also helped the author carry out this study.
Chapter One introduces the background to the
problems which exist in oral English teaching in China. It
emphasises the importance of Chinese teachers' having a clear
understanding and a good command of a wide range of techniques
in teaching oral English.
Chapter Two examines some approaches now used in
oral English classes at Erwai. This chapter also analyses
students' motivation to learn oral English, the teachers'
performance in oral English classes as well as when and how
to correct students' mistakes in their oral English. Some
practical oral activities which Erwai has arranged for
present students and is thinking of arranging for future
students are also discussed in this chapter.
Chapter Three identifies and analyses in more
detail theories of teaching oral English such as the audiolingual
method, counselling learning, the direct method and
the eclectic approach.
In Chapter Four some activities are suggested to
make oral classes more enjoyable. In second year oral
English classes, repetition and situational dialogue are far
from enough for teaching oral English. Short plays and skits
can be used to enrich the oral English classes. This chapter
also discusses the observation of oral English classes by
Australian teachers in the C.C.A.E. Special English Programme.
Chapter Five considers the choice of materials and
the application of materials in class. Oral English materials
used at Erwai at the moment mainly come from two sources:
home-produced materials compiled by Erwai or other foreign
language institutes in China, and some commerciallypublished
materials imported from foreign countries. There
is another source which can be used in teaching oral English -
materials compiled on the basis of authentic materials such
as excerpts from magazines and newspapers.
In the conclusion it is pointed out that many
suggestions have been made in the study about oral English
teaching techniques and materials.
It is hoped that such suggestions have practical
value in improving the level of oral English in China in
line with the country's present needs. At the same time new
techniques require ample opportunity for trying out in
practice before their full effectiveness will become
apparent.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219165
Date January 1984
CreatorsWang, Ning, n/a
PublisherUniversity of Canberra. Liberal Studies
Source SetsAustraliasian Digital Theses Program
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Rights), Copyright Ning Wang

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