A study of English learning problems was carried out among a total of 106 foreign students. It shows that most students considered understanding spoken English to be their biggest problem on arrival. This was followed by speaking. Writing increased as a problem as students discovered difficulties in writing papers that they were now expected to hand in. Reading remained as a significant(显著的) problem.
The information gained helped us in determining where special attention should be paid in our course. Although many students have chosen to join the course with a reasonable motivation(动机), we considered it important to note what seemed to encourage interest. Nearly all the students have experienced some kind of grammar-based English teaching in their own country. To use the same method would be self-defeating because it might reduce motivation, especially if it has failed in the past. Therefore a different method may help because it is different.
Variety of activity was also seen as a way of maintaining(保持) or increasing motivation. Several years ago we had one timetable that operated throughout, but we soon found that both the students and the teachers lost interest by about halfway through the ten weeks. This led us to a major re-think, so finally we brought it into line with the expressed language needs of the students.
小题1:What is the text mainly about?
A．Foreign students have more problems.
B．There are many ways to improve English.
C．Teaching should meet students’ needs.
D．English learning problems should be studied again.小题2:Writing became a bigger problem when foreign students________.
A．had to write their papers
B．became better at speaking
C．became less interested in reading
D．had fewer problems with listening小题3:We may infer from the last two paragraphs that ________.
A．different teaching methods should be used
B．grammar-based teaching seems to be encouraging
C．English courses are necessary for foreign students
D．teaching content should be changed halfway.
