Combining Grammar-Translation Approach And Communicative Approach In The Teaching Of Reading

It is agreed that reading ability is the most important of the four skills in the acquisition of English as a second language. Meanwhile, the society raises a higher requirement for the present teaching of reading. Therefore, more and more teachers are showing concern to the improvement of English learners' reading ability.This thesis begins with the definition of reading and the basic English reading theories; it then analyzes the Grammar-Translation Approach and the Communicative Approach, which are widely used in English teaching. Based on her own experience, the author has studied the current situation and proposed her opinion of combining the two approaches in the reading teaching.This thesis consists of six chapters. Chapter One is an introduction. Chapter Two reviews the current situation in the teaching of English reading, arriving at the conclusion that the traditional teaching methods should be improved. Chapters Three probes into the Grammar-Translation approach and the Communicative approach in reading teaching, including their origins, current situations, advantages and disadvantages, and makes a comparison between them as well. Based on previous chapters, Chapter Four discusses the necessity and importance of combining the grammar-translation and communicative teaching approaches. In addition, in this chapter, steps of implementing the new approach is also suggested. Chapter Five is a case study in an effort to reinforce the author's view of combining the two approaches in reading teaching. Chapter Six is the conclusion to restate the author's viewpoint.