Reconciling Communicative Approaches to the Teaching of English with Traditional Chinese Methods

Research in the Teaching of English Dec 1996

Reconciling Communicative Approaches to the Teaching of English with Traditional Chinese Methods

Zhenhui Rao Jiangxi Normal University

Abstract

Chinese students experience many difficulties in developing communicative competence in English in their English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses in China. This essay provides cultural information that may be useful for researchers and American EFL teachers of Chinese-born students, in Chinese or American universities. It first reviews the pedagogical approaches used by native Chinese-speaking teachers of English in an educational environment grounded in Confucian precepts for teaching, learning, and educational roles and responsibilities. It suggests that many of the limitations on Chinese students’ learning of English stem from a traditional teacher-centeredc lassroom and the use of rote-memorys trategies. After noting the obstacles faced by Chinese EFL teachers who have tried to implement communicative approaches, this essay offers guidelines for reconciling a communicative approach with traditional Chinese methods

Journal: Research in the Teaching of English
Published: 1996-12-01
DOI: 10.58680/rte199615304
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multilingual writers