A Study On The Use Of Formulaic Sequences In College English Writing

In recent years, there is a wide spread concern over the significant role of formulaic sequences in language teaching and learning.Formulaic sequences are special multi-word items which consist of a sequence of two or more words, semantically and syntactically forming a meaningful and inseparable unit. Many linguistic researchers apply different terminologies such as chunks, formulas, formulaic utterances, frame structures, idioms, lexicalized sentence stems, memorized sentences, patterns, prefabricated chunks, prefabricated or ready-made language, routines, speech formulas, and unanalyzed language or wholes, etc. While the labels vary, it seems that researchers have very much the same phenomenon in mind (Weinert 1995). Formulaic sequences are proved to be stored and retrieved by speakers as unanalyzed wholes and therefore relieve the cognitive load in language processing.In view of the important role of formulaic sequences in language development, it pays to conduct studies on language learners' mastery of them so as to elicit implications on teaching methodology and learning strategy.The existing studies concerning FSs are mostly confined to theoretical discussions, with few empirical investigations to validate the related theories. The study of FSs in writing is relatively fresh both at home and abroad. It is found that there are relatively more studies on the use of FSs in oral speech than that in written discourse. Therefore the present study with focus on the use of FSs in college English writing is a tentative research with the purpose of revealing a true picture of the actual use of FSs in Chinese English-learning environment.This essay is aimed to explore the use of FSs in college English writing. It is a small-scale sample test. Its subjects are sophomores of non-English majors from Northeastern University. Their writing samples are analyzed by both manual computation and SPSS software. Through the investigation of the correlation between the number of formulaic sequences used and the quality of the essays, and the difference between high score group and the low score group, the role of lexical chunks in essay writing is examined. The results show that the proper use of formulaic sequences is significantly correlated with the writing scores. They contribute to the native-like selection and native-like fluency and really make a difference in achieving writing proficiency.In light of the important role of formulaic sequences in writing, it is advisable for teachers as well as the language learners to lay emphasis on the use of FSs. Teaching materials should be adjusted to ensure they are based on authentic language; students should be trained to spontaneously accumulate and apply formulaic sequences in their writings; appropriate teaching methods should be made up with view to facilitating students'better mastery of FSs.It is hoped that the present study offers some new insights into the nature of FSs and shed new lights on the future English teaching method and learning strategy, which will help to promote college English writing in an all-round way.