A Comparative Study of Integrated English Textbooks in China and Britain_英语论文

摘要

教育与社会发展关系密切，具有鲜明的社会性与时代性。作为教学活动的重要依据，教材的变革与发展也成为社会关注的焦点。近年来，国内对高校英语教材的研究偏少，对英语教材发展与评估涉及甚少。本研究的主旨是弥补这空白。本研究旨在回答以下三个问题：（1）中英综合英语教材在练习的安排上有何异同？（2）中英综合英语教材在课文主题上有何异同? (3)中英综合英语教材在特点上有何异同？

为回答上述问题，本文采用文本分析、量化分析与对比研究的方法，从教材练习的编排形式、文章主题及排版特点入手，重点对三本中国综合性英语教材和三本英国综合英语教材进行对比研究。研究发现，在练习的安排上，国内综合英语教材练习的各部分比例不甚协调，不利于学生英语综合能力的发展。在课文的主题上，中国的综合英语教材主要关注文化以及人生经验的分享，对社会现状的介绍不足，不利于学生全面了解社会，做出合理的人生规划。在排版上，国内教材风格单一，缺少注释性说明与图片，不利于激发学生的学习兴趣。虽然国内教材很多存在不足之处，但可在未来通过不断借鉴其他国家优秀的教材开发经验与加强自身教材的系统化建设进行改进与完善。

关键词: 综合英语教材；练习；主题；排版

Abstract

Education is closely related to social development and has distinct characteristics of society and time. As an important basis of teaching activities, textbooks have become the focus of the whole society. In recent years, researches on college English textbooks in China are far from enough. Few have been undertaken to investigate the development and evaluation of English textbooks. Taken this into consideration, the purpose of this study is to fill the gap. The research aims to answer the following questions: (1) What are the similarities and differences in the arrangement of exercises in integrated English textbooks in China and Britain? (2) What are the similarities and differences in the themes of the passages in integrated English textbooks in China and Britain? (3) What are the similarities and differences in layouts in integrated English textbooks in China and Britain? 

In order to answer the above research questions, this paper adopts the methods of text analysis, quantitative analysis and contrastive analysis. This research starts with the arrangement of exercises, themes of passages and features of layouts in English textbooks and focuses on a comparative study of three integrated English textbooks in China and three integrated English textbooks in Britain respectively. Through a comparative study of integrated English textbooks in China and Britain, this study yields the following major research findings: (1) In the arrangement of exercises, the proportion of each part in exercises in integrated English textbooks is imbalanced, which is not conducive to the development of students' comprehensive English competence. (2) In the themes of passages, integrated English textbooks in China mainly focus on the sharing of life experience and culture, but the introduction of social status quo is not enough, which will not be helpful enough for students' comprehensive understanding of society and making reasonable life planning. (3) In layout, a monotonous style and lack of annotated illustrations and pictures in integrated English textbooks in China are not conducive to arousing students' interest in learning. However, the shortcomings of China’s English textbooks can be improved and perfected in the future by constantly learning from excellent experience of other countries in the development of textbooks and strengthening the systematic textbooks development.

Key Words: Integrated English Textbooks; Exercises; Theme; Layout 

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i

ABSTRACT ii

摘 要 iii

Chapter One INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Need for the Present Study 1

1.2 Objectives and Significance of the Present Study 2

1.3 Overview of the Thesis 2

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1 The Essential Role of English Textbooks 4

2.2 Researches on English Textbooks at Home 4

2.3Researches on English Textbooks Abroad 6

2.4 Summary 7

Chapter Three METHODOLOGY 9

3.1 Research Questions 9

3.2 Materials 9

3.3 Data Collection and Analysis 11

Chapter Four RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 12

4.1 Arrangement of Exercises 12

4.2 Themes of Passages 15

4.3 Features of Layouts 17

4.4 Summary 21

Chapter Five CONCLUSION 23

5.1 Major Findings of the Study 23

5.1.1 Arrangement of Exercises 23

5.1.2 Themes of Passages 24

5.1.3 Features of Layouts 24

5.2 Implications 25

5.2.1 For Textbook Compilers 25

5.2.2 For Teachers 26

5.2.3 For Students 26

5.3 Limitations of the Study and Suggestions for Future Research 27

REFERENCES 28