Abstract

English is learned by most Chinese students as a foreign language, taking the same proportion as Chinese and mathematics in the exams. Owing to the large proportion, English vocabulary teaching is mostly exam-oriented. Since the new curriculum reform was carried out, English teachers have paid more attention to English vocabulary teaching and have attached more importance to the comprehension and application of vocabulary. As we all know, vocabulary is the basic of language, in other words, students’ ability in vocabulary would directly influence their ability in other aspects: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Therefore, English teachers should focus on improving English vocabulary teaching to help students learn English vocabulary more systematically. This thesis firstly views the researches about English vocabulary teaching strategies abroad and at home, and then presents some new trends of English vocabulary teaching. This dissertation is based on theories about teaching strategy. Interview and classroom observation will be adopted to answer the research questions of this thesis: firstly, what teaching strategies do English teachers mainly use in class; secondly, what’s the problems teachers meet in their vocabulary teaching. This research indicates that English teachers use varieties of vocabulary teaching strategies in presentation period, while in practice, production and assessment period, the teaching strategies applications are less. Furthermore, English teachers feel difficult to improve students’ vocabulary ability. When teaching vocabulary, English teachers should take the situation into consideration.

Key Words：Vocabulary Teaching; Current Situation; Teaching Strategies

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction-1

1.1 Research Background-1

1.2 Research Purposes and Methods-1

1.3 Significance of the Research-2

1.4 Layout of the Thesis-3

2  Literature review-4

2.1 The Content of Vocabulary Teaching-4

2.2 Vocabulary Teaching Strategies-4

2.2.1 A General Introduction about Vocabulary Teaching Strategy-4

2.2.2 Classifications of Vocabulary Teaching Strategy-5

2.2.3 Features of Vocabulary Teaching Strategies-5

2.2.4 Some Specific Strategies Used in Vocabulary Teaching-7

2.3 Studies on Vocabulary Teaching Strategy abroad and in China-9

3  Methodology-12

3.1 Research Questions-12

3.2 Participants-12

3.3 Research Methods-12

3.3.1 Interview-12

3.3.2 Classroom Observation-13

4  Findings and Discussions-14

4.1 Analysis of the Interview-14

4.2 Analysis of Classroom Observation-15

4.2.1 Vocabulary Teaching Strategies in Presentation Period-15

4.2.2 Vocabulary Teaching Strategies in Practice Period-16

4.2.3 Vocabulary Teaching Strategies in Production Period-17

4.2.4 Vocabulary Teaching Strategies in Assessment Period-17

4.3 Findings of the Research-18

5  Conclusion-19

5.1 Implications of the Research-19

5.2 Limitations of the Research-20

Bibliography-21

Appendix-22

Acknowledgements-23