Independent College English Language Teaching Problems And Countermeasures Analysis In Shaanxi

According to "the syllabus for English majors in universities and colleges"(2005), English linguistics course is offered as one of the most important knowledge-oriented courses, as well as one of the most important courses for English majors in independent colleges in Shaanxi Province. However, the teaching effect of the course is not satisfying.At the beginning of1983, English Department of Shanghai International Studies University opened "the concise course on English Linguistics" to juniors and seniors of English major. That was the first case in national colleges. At the end of the20th century, domestic English educators, such as Wen Qiufang and Gui Shichun, fully affirmed the necessity of English linguistics course, and pointed out the defects of the course teaching and instructor training in current domestic colleges and universities.Compared with English majors in the first and second batch of undergraduate universities, independent colleges have lower level of English basic knowledge or learning ability, so it is more difficult for them to learn linguistics well. This paper is a tentative probe into the problems related to the course teaching in independent colleges in Shaanxi province, aiming to put forward the strategies for improving the teaching effect of the course.A small-scale survey on present learning situation of English majors was conducted randomly among145English major juniors and seniors (136questionnaires were considered valid) in2typical independent colleges all over Shaanxi province. Following up, statistics is used to analyze the data and information concerning the situations of linguistics course and students’attitudes towards it. It is revealed that for a long time emphasis on only theoretical knowledge impartment has led up to poor learning motivation and efficiency.Then the survey is also conducted in the form of small scale interview on the teachers who are teaching linguistics course in independent colleges in Shaanxi Province. With investigation of selection of textbooks in each independent college, the author comprehensively analyses the insufficiency on curriculum orientation, students and teachers, textbooks selection, teaching mode, appraisal pattern and other aspects, calling for rethinking the course orientation of English linguistics, the application of the implementation of research-oriented teaching mode. For teachers, they should foster course teaching faith and acquire a correct understanding of their roles. In a detailed analysis of advantages and disadvantages of two textbooks widely used, the author puts forward some suggestions of the textbooks compiling. In addition, the author has attempted new diversified assessment methods targeting at the traditional course assessment concept.