PROBLEM
In China, English language policy usually emphasizes the reading and writing sections and pays less attention to listening and speaking which results in “dumb English”. This phenomenon leads to a series of problems such as having difficulty communicating with native speakers. The students who want to study abroad are always troubled by the bad performance of listening and speaking in IELTS or TOEFL. Under this circumstance, this problem needs to be solved.
Solutions
1. From teachers’ point of view:
1.1 Teachers may flexibly choose and combine various teaching media in class. They can provide relevant materials such as music or movie to students and let them talk about the content. In the process of listening to music, watching the movie and discussing with partners, students can get more opportunities to practice their listening and speaking ability.
1.2 Teachers can organize some students-centered activities in class such as free talk, speech and act. By involving in these activities, students will talk actively and listen more.
1.3 Teachers should adapt English as the teaching language in class. But it doesn’t mean that teachers need to talk all in English even in primary school and it depends on different levels of students’ English proficiency.
Here are some useful links for teachers' reference:
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2. From government’s point of view:
2.1 English language policy maker at national level should put more emphasis on listening and speaking in English curriculum reforms. For example, more interactive activities can be added in the teaching materials.
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2.2 Listening and speaking should have more proportion in English exams. Students who only have writing or reading abilities are not qualified English learners.
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