English Euphemism Teaching

Euphemism, which is frequently used in both English and Chinese, is a linguistic phenomenon as well as a cultural one. In a sense, without proper application of euphemism, communication would be impossible. Euphemism has become one of the major subjects of cross-cultural studies as people come to realize the significance of euphemism. Therefore, English teachers should pay attention to euphemism teaching so as to improve students' cross-cultural awareness and communicative competence.In China, as far as euphemism teaching is concerned, there are no monographs or treatises. The papers concerning euphemism teaching mainly discuss the importance of English euphemism but do not deliberate how to teach English euphemism. So, euphemism teaching is a new subject that should be studied and explored. The English teachers should fill up gaps in euphemism teaching.On the basis of analyzing the traditional teaching methods and teaching practice, the author of this dissertation introduces the Multiple Intelligence Theory and applies it to her teaching practice. Based on student-centered conception, the theory emphasizes students' independent learning. In practice, the author views teaching and learning as a dynamic and interactive process in which teachers are not policy-makers but organizers and participants. The author tries her best to arouse students' motivation and develop students' intelligence for culture and euphemism learning through participation and enlightenment. After experimental teaching practice, the author finds the results satisfactory. Almost all the students have improved their cross-cultural awareness and communicative competence in various degrees and their progress also displays in their linguistic abilities such as listening, speaking, reading and writing.It should be admitted that the empirical teaching practice with MI Theory is just on a small scale although the theory demonstrates its strong points in her class. So, this theory should still be applied, studied and summarized by college English 'teachersand relative English educators so as to achieve a remarkable success in improving students' cross-cultural awareness and communicative competence..