An Empirical Study On The Application Of Formulaic Sequence Approach In Business English Teaching And Learning

Language has long been regarded as a highly systematic and rule-governed behavior of human beings. Such a linguistic theory has dominated the last several decades (Weinert,1995). Studies on FS (Formulaic Sequences) have enjoyed increasing popularity both at home and abroad. However, the relationship between FS and BE (Business English) written discourse remains an unsettled issue and empirical research in this field is still rare.The present study is an attempt to probe into the question by exploring BE learners'identification awareness of FS and the efficacy of FS production especially in BE written discourse. The study is mainly concerned with two factors relating to proficiency in BE language teaching and learning. The first factor has to deal with learners'awareness to identify FS in Business English, which is supposed to help recall after the retention of FS in BE language processing, and to stimulate more native-like BE interlanguage. The second factor has to deal with the efficacy of FS approach on BE learners'written discourse.The study addresses three related research questions concerning the awareness and efficacy of FS approach as follows:(1) Can the teaching of BE based on FS approach raise students'awareness of FS? (2) Does the teaching of BE with FS approach have some positive effects on the efficacy of improving BE writing skills? (3) Are the identification of FS and the production of BE written discourse related to each other?I set up two small corpora by collecting the data from two classes'sophomore students of logistics major (39 in experimental group and 40 in control group respectively) in Sichuan College of Education whom I referred to as low-intermediate BE learners. The present study is both a qualitative and quantitative study, in which the relationship between the identification of FS and efficacy of FS approach will be fully explored and learners'language data will be used for quantitative analysis. In order to investigate the learners'understanding of the target BE language production, their awareness of FS and their perception towards FS approach are presented to describe the real efficacy of FS approach.The major findings of this study are:(1) BE teaching based on FS approach can raise students'awareness to identify FS in BE. (2) BE teaching with FS approach have positive effects on the efficacy of BE production, especially on the number and frequency of FS produced. (3) The identification of FS in BE and BE written capability are positively correlated to each other.The present research has brought plenty of pedagogical implications. It is believed that it is essential to raise learner's awareness in the identification of FS in BE teaching. FS are native-like interlanguage in the early BE learning stage and could be transformed into target language later on the condition of sufficient practice and exercise. What's more, much exposure to naturally occurring BE language is necessary for learners with the aim of gaining the identity of the business community. Overall, a principal aim of the present research is promoting learners'awareness of the salience of FS in BE and have them internalized progressively, which is a practical way to improve learners'ability to communicate correctly, formally, and idiomatically.