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A Case Study On Post-Band 4 ESP Materials Evaluation From A Constructivist Perspective

Posted on:2009-04-23Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:J GuoFull Text:PDF
GTID:2155360272970399Subject:Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
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Ever since the Teaching Reform of College English, many key universities have implemented students' streaming and placement teaching, in which GE (General English) has been shortened, assigning more time and resources to Post-Band 4 ESP teaching. EGAP (English for General Academic Purpose) courses, a branch of ESP, can function to fulfill the newly emerging gap between GE and English of Specialty. Simultaneously, they can help to realize learner's individualized development as well as skills development. However, EGAP materials construction obviously lags behind, which undoubtedly undermines the teaching quality of Post-Band 4.This paper, based on the results of needs analysis and theories of materials evaluation, presents a tentative materials evaluation of three course books concerning an EGAP course, English for Culture Exchange, aiming at providing a model for ESP materials evaluation. In the interests of scientific evaluation results, it undergoes four stages as follows: 1) listing potential course books to be evaluated, 2) analyzing course books in depth in the areas of publication and design, 3) evaluating for suitability which adopts evaluation criteria proposed by Alan Cunningsworth especially for ESP materials evaluation, and 4) identifying strengths and weaknesses of each course book so as to enlighten the development and adaptation of materials. Moreover, based on the results of needs analysis, from a Constructivist perspective, seven qualities that new-style materials should possess are concluded in this paper. Both quantitative research method (questionnaire) and qualitative research method (semi-structured interview) are employed in needs analysis to investigate learner's needs in the areas of motivation, materials design and materials publication. This research aims at providing suggestions for and solutions to the Post-Band 4 ESP materials construction with the expectation to make some contributions to the development of Post-Band 4 ESP teaching in China.
Keywords/Search Tags:ESP, Needs Analysis, Constructivism, Materials Design, Materials Evaluation, EGAP
PDF Full Text Request
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