Research On The Avoidance Of Phrasal Verbs Of Learners Of English Majors

Phrasal verbs widely exist in modern English.Because of their self-complexity,second language or foreign language learners have difficulties in acquiring them.It is especially true for Chinese learners.Since there is no similar corresponding Chinese structure to English phrasal-verb,phrasal verbs become difficult language items for Chinese English learners to master in their learning process,which results in the avoidance of phrasal verbs.In order to empirically investigate such linguistic phenomenon,the author in the present thesis,adopted a mixed research method,combining a quantitative approach with qualitative approach.With comprehension test,avoidance test(multiple choice test,situational dialogue test and 'translation test)and retrospective interviews,the author explored the reasons for avoidance so as to provide suggestions for teachers' vocabulary teaching and students' learning of phrasal verbs.From the angle of language transfer theory,conceptual metaphor theory and communication strategies,the present research chose 40 sophomores with English as their major from Tianjin University of Science and Technology as research subjects.Through quantitative and qualitative data analysis of four tests and retrospective interviews,it was found that there were different degrees of phrasal verb avoidance phenomenon among English majors;in terms of the types of avoiding phrasal verbs,there were no obvious difference in the numbers of figurative phrasal verbs and transparent ones;meanwhile,there were five main reasons causing English majors to avoid using phrasal verbs:1)difficulty in learning phrasal verbs;2)negative transfer of first language;3)students'personal reasons;4)the influence of teachers;5)needs for communication.The result of the present research provides suggestions for teachers and students alike:frstly,English teachers should analyze the semantic features in their practical teaching,carefully explain the complex vocabulary and provide useful examples in order to raise their students' awareness of phrasal verbs;secondly,to improve their English proficiency,students should consciously gain a rich input of phrasal verbs and using them as much as possible in the process of doing writing and speaking exercises.