A Study Of Necessity And Feasibility Of "Multi-Syllabuses And Multi-Coursebooks" In College English Teaching

This study is intended to probe into the necessity and feasibility of implementing a new teaching and managing model, "Multi-syllabuses with Multi-coursebooks", which means designing different syllabuses and selecting different teaching materials for different groups of students so as to meet students' individual needs. This model advocates individualized teaching with students' various data taken into considerable account."Multi-syllabuses with Multi-coursebooks" model is justified from both theoretical and empirical grounds. Theoretically speaking, the proposed model is mainly based on the general learner-centered philosophy which entails differentiated curricula for different learner types. In the Chinese situation where College English, a compulsory course, is given at all the colleges and universities to students of diversified types, different proficiency levels and differentiated language needs, a uniform centralized curriculum is hard to meet the diverse needs of the students. The national curriculum, namely, the Requirements can only play a generally guiding role. It can become the basis for developing a variety of specific syllabuses for different group of students. In the light of specific circumstances, an empirical study is conducted in JPU with both quantitative and qualitative approaches such as questionnaire, interview, testing, etc. Based on the data collected from the tests and the questionnaire, the study finds that university students differentiate themselves from each other in such aspects as language proficiency at entry, motivation, objectives for specific skills, as well as views on the coursebooks in use and teaching arrangements. The differences among different groups of students make it necessary and urgent for teachers to design appropriate syllabuses and select suitable coursebooks and supplementary materials for their particular groups of students. Meanwhile the study also explores the feasibility of implementing "Multi-syllabuses with Multi-coursebooks" model. By interviewing a group of College English teachers in JPU, the study argues that it is possible to put the "Multi-syllabuses with Multi-coursebooks" model into practice with most teachers' huge enthusiasm for this teaching reform. Besides, the "Multi-syllabuses with Multi-coursebooks" model is well guaranteed by a variety of available coursebooks and substantial network resources which leave teachers and students much room to choose what they need.The study of the "Multi-syllabuses with Multi-coursebooks" model may offer useful reference to helping improve College English teaching, for it satisfies the specific needs of particular students, promotes individualized teaching and facilitates autonomous learning. It can contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of English teaching and learning.