The Changing American English: Implications For ELT In China

English has been a world language today. The two major varieties of English—American English and British English are quite different in many ways so more and more language researchers pay attention to their differences and make contrastive study on them. Based on the achievements made previously, this thesis further describes the differences between American English and British English, throws light on the reason why such differences exist, makes clear the development trend of the two varieties and discusses the implications of the dominance of American English for ELT in China and the attitudes we take towards the two varieties in terms of their differences. The writer of the thesis attempts to tackle the following questions:(1) How is American English different from British English in a case study of Harry Porter?(2) Why has American English diverged from British English?(3) What are the changing trends of American English?(4) What implications will the dominance of American English have for ELT in China?In order to answer the above questions, this thesis adopts the synchronic as well as diachronic methods to describe the differences between American English and British English and explores the historical factors causing such differences. Meanwhile, a case study of the popular novel Harry Porter of U.S. version and U.K. version is made in the thesis to embrace some latest differences between the two varieties. And another case study of the American word "O.K." is carried out in order to see the popularity of American English as manifested by the word "O.K.". A few important points are made in the study:Firstly, American English came into existence throughout the history and the formation of it is an inevitable result of social development. It was influenced by physical conditions, political independence, immigration and multi-cultural factors. As a result, American English is thought to be traditional as well as creative.Secondly, the case study of Harry Porter shows that American English and British English are different in many ways. The differences in grammar can be seen in tense, some fixed structures and different usage of some words in terms of part of speech. The differences in spelling are also numerous.Thirdly, the case study of the word "O.K." indicates that this word originated in America in 1830s in the form of abbreviation. Afterwards, it has been developed throughout several stages and was widely accepted by people all over the world. Now it has become one of the most popular English word in the world.Fourthly, based on the case study, the writer of the thesis further analyses the development trend of American English and British English, pointing out that American English is playing a dominant role in world Englishes. Therefore, following this trend, English experts and educators have to change the current situation of ELT in China and put American English in the first place, particularly in the compiling of English textbooks.Lastly, the writer thinks that American English is to continue its development so there are many questions that remain unresolved in this respect. As to the ELT in China, English teachers and learners need to follow the future trends of American English and make English teaching and learning more practical.