A Study On Lexical Chunks In College Non-English Major Writing And Its Utilization

The lexical approach is a new language pedagogy theory, the most important of which is " language consist of grammaticalisted lexis-not lexicalised grammar". It can be summarized in a few words:language consists not tradition grammar and vocabulary but often of multi-word prefabricated chunks. In particular, lexical chunks were seen as a productive resource for learners, aiding in the production, comprehension, and necessary analytical reflection on the form and the meanings of target language. Lexical chunks are the language units which exist with high frequency in language. They are composites of grammar, semantics, and pragmatics. They play a vital part in everyday communication, contribution to ease, frequency and appropriateness in listening, speaking, reading and writing. The ability to use preformed lexical chunks allows greater fluency in speech production. The use of lexical chunks can aid the listener as well. Because lexical chunks can be recognized as individual wholes. Lexical chunks also play a part in vocabulary and grammar acquisition. Once a chunk is known, it can be analyzed and segmented into its constituent word. In recent years, foreign language experts and teachers becoming more and more aware of the important of lexical chunks. The work of Sinclair, Nattinger and Decarrico, and Lewis represent a significant theoretical and pedagogical shift from the past. The pedagogy emphasizing the language learners need to perceive and use patterns of lexis and collections. This thesis explores the role of lexical chunks in college English writing and its pedagogical implication in English teaching and learning. This thesis is presented in four chapters. Chapter one presents a literature review in this study, which begins with an overview of lexical chunks in language teaching and learning, and then comes to the study of lexical chunks in various aspect including the definition of lexical chunks, the criteria to define lexical chunks, followed by role of lexical chunks in English teaching and learning. Chapter two concerns the research methodology. The objects, subjects and the instrument employed are introduced as well as the procedure of investigation. Chapter there analyses and discusses the result of the investigation and indicates the limitation of the investigation. The fourth chapter follows the analysis and discussion of the previous part to pump up the implications of the present investigations college English writing and to language teaching and leaning. Finally it comes to the conclusion.