How Do We Improve Students' Spoken English?-A Study Of The Practices Of Foreign Language School

The newly promulgated National English Curriculum clearly states that cultivating students' communicative skills remains the ultimate goal in English language teaching. This study looks at the question of how we could help improve students' oral English ability in high schools. To answer the question, I compare the different practices in some Foreign Language Schools and non-Foreign Language Schools in the suburban areas of Suzhou. On the basis of daily observation and questionnaire surveys and interviews done with the students and teachers from Jiangsu Foreign Language School and other neighboring middle schools, I argue that the latter have a lot to learn from the former in putting in place a great number of effective mechanisms that enable students to learn to speak English with interest and efficiency. These include: the creation of an English language environment on campus; the presence of professionally qualified staff; the use of attractive spoken English teaching methods and inspiring after-class activities; the development of multicultural awareness; the fostering of interest in English.