The Effect Of Dictation Practice In Chinese EFL Classroom

This study investigates the effect of systematic dictation practice on Chinese EFL learners' language skills. Theoretically, dictation practice is a useful teaching and learning device, but some empirical studies did not reveal significant difference between experimental group and control group in any aspects of language skills after the experiment with dictation. This study reports an experiment in which two groups (Experimental Group and Control Group) of students followed the same teaching curriculum except the dictation practice conducted in the EG. Results of the pretest and the survey of learning efforts showed that the two groups are homogeneous in their English language proficiency and their studying effort on English learning outside class. The results of the post- test showed that systematic dictation practice helps improve lower-intermediate learners' listening abilities and their abilities in taking dictation. An error analysis further supported the results revealed in the post-test. Moreover, a qualitative survey demonstrated that lower-intermediate learners view dictation as an effective classroom exercise in terms of listening, writing and speaking.