My Opinions on English Teaching
Ricky
MY OPINIONS ON ENGLISH TEACHING
Richard N. Guo
May 30, 1998
Language learning is part of humanities, which focus on the spiritual
life of mankind. In addition, language is the expression and representation
of a certain culture or national civilization. Due to this, learning a
language means learning a culture, a way of thinking, a certain philosophy,
and the thoughts and minds of the people who are different from us. In this
way, I verily believe that it is not sufficient to learn the language
itself, but to learn more about the language and behind the language. The
contents of the textbooks should reveal the culture, history, social customs
and the life of average people in the English-speaking countries, say,
Redwood in California, Hoover Dam in Arizona, Microsoft and Bill Gates, so
on and so forth. Only in this way can we be successful communicators between
the East and the West. And only in this way can we get on well with the
contemporary and future contact and intercourse with the outside world,
especially the United States and the United Kingdom.
Secondly, I suggest that every and each passage we learn as study
material be written by native speakers from English-speaking countries. At
present, most of the passages in New English Course are by Chinese teachers
of English. We must not deny the fact that even the best English teachers in
China cannot avoid Chinglish or Chinese English. In all history, only very
few Chinese experts succeeded in achieving the goal of writing in absolutely
idiomatic English, for example, Dr Lin Yutang, Mr. Gu Hongming and Mr..
Liang Shiqiu. But it seems that this kind of experts in the English language
have been extinct. After all, we are Chinese and English is not our native
language. In spite of this, it is of decisive importance for us English
majors to learn directly idiomatic English works by native speakers, which
will certainly foster our healthy feeling for the English language and avoid
Chinglish as much as possible. On account of this, I heartily suggest
changing our textbooks and use excellent integrated course books by English
experts from the United Kingdom, for instance, New Concept English (book
3&4).
According to the ideas of traditional linguistics, literature is the
most beautiful and artistic representation of language. In my own opinion,
the most classic and beautiful language can only be found in literature. I
see it essentially important to place much emphasis on literature on the
journey of learning a language. And historical realities support my opinion.
In the 30s of this century, the English learners learnt almost only
literature. In this way, some ordinary high school graduates could read
Shakespeare. Frankly speaking, their learning and living conditions are by
no means better than the present. They had few scientific course books;
instead, they took original literary works directly as their textbooks,
analyzing them and even memorizing them, and they achieved a lot. But today,
how many English majors can read Shakespeare in the original form? That is a
hard but inescapable question we have to face. But I do not mean that we
should put away textbooks and learn only literature, which may also be a
good method for some, though; I mean we should lay more emphasis on
literature learning and teaching, studying textbooks at the identical time.
This, I believe, will benefit us a lot. The idea of regarding literature
learning as the major factor in learning English still dominate Taiwan, and
this practice is still widely utilized there, which, I think, best accounts
for the reason why the students in Taiwan are always far better in English
study than those in the mainland.
Today, China is opening her doors wider than at any other time in
history. As a result, it has always been a mystery for me why there are so
few foreign teachers here in Wuhan University, a university of some national
importance. I confess that our Chinese teachers are outstanding, but foreign
teachers have some unique meaning for English learners. They are native
speakers; while you are conversing with them, you are—at least it seems to
me—poured a splash of water of idiomatic English, which has vital
importance for developing oral English skills. In my opinion, accuracy and
fluency in spoken English is impossible without sufficient contact with
native speakers. So I do suggest inviting far more foreign teachers from the
USA or the UK to teach English, at least oral English.
If my superficial opinions and suggestions could be of a little use for
promoting English teaching in our Department, I would be overly glad. Your
consideration will be deeply appreciated.
hime...@my-dejanews.com
"Ricky" <rick...@public.wh.hb.cn> wrote:
>
>
> MY OPINIONS ON ENGLISH TEACHING
>
> Richard N. Guo
>
> May 30, 1998
> Language learning is part of humanities, which focus on the spiritual
> life of mankind.
As I read your post it was clear that in many ways we may think alike. I do
however believe English is an evolutionary living organism. It is in
constanta change and therefore must reflect the shifting paradigms of the
purely English cultures from which it draws its life.
This however is beyond my point and I would like to ask you a question. How
should Contemporary Literature be taught in the light of its continual
declains into the quagmires of slang and vulgarity?
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum
dhanes...@gmail.com
The teaching methods of inlingua are of high quality standards and the methodology of inlingua is maintained throughout all the centres of inlingua are being in Delhi or across the world. Thus by maintaining this consistency inlingua has an additional edge over its competitors.
For more information you can visit the following link:
http://www.inlinguanewdelhi.com/