| This Project Demonstrating Excellence (PDE) consists of a contextual essay, Volume I, which precedes and sets the context for an originally created English as A Second or Foreign Language (ESL, EFL) textbook directed toward teaching English as a second language in the Peoples Republic of China. The Contextual Essay contains an introduction to the textbook, a discussion of the history of education in China since 1850, an overview of the basis for creation of the new textbook, and conclusions and recommendations. The textbook, Volume II of this dissertation, is intended for publication in the Peoples Republic of China for use by native Chinese teachers of English As A Second or Foreign Language. (For purposes of this writing, ESL and EFL are used interchangeably, since Westerners usually use the term ESL and Chinese prefer EFL.); The textbook manuscript was created to address the problems the writer encountered with the Chinese education system during the seven years she taught ESL in Chinese colleges and universities (1987–1994). The main problems encountered in the students were lack of ability to communicate in English despite the learning of English beginning in elementary school in China, very poor pronunciation of English words, inability to use English words in more than one way or one context, and lack of training in the cultural use of English. The textbook is intended to provide an overview of the entire ESL/EFL process. It speaks from the perspective of presenting new teaching and learning methodologies for consideration by Chinese educators in improving the current education system. It is a survey course for prospective Chinese ESL/EFL teachers who are freshmen college students, to explain what is involved in learning how to teach ESL, what education and psychology are about and their relationship to teaching and learning, and how to teach students to learn. It is also intended to aid the staff of the Chinese State Education Commission, as well as local educators, in ESL curriculum planning for the school system.; There are various sections in the textbook which address the ESL teaching process, learning process, and communication processes, all areas of need for improvement in the Chinese school systems. Information in this textbook will hopefully become the basis for more workable and successful ESL/EFL education systems in China. |
