Basic English Course (3) Student Book

Author: Hao Yunzhi et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The third and fourth volumes of "Basic English Course" were compiled according to the new syllabus of the Ministry of Education. The textbooks reflect the achievements of reform in basic English teaching for English majors in higher education. The new syllabus stipulates that English teaching, both in form and content, should reflect the characteristics of the times and embody a spirit of innovation.
In terms of form, this textbook requires instructors to teach using the communicative approach, transforming the one-way communication of traditional intensive reading classes (where teachers dominate the discussion) into two-way communication between teachers and students, thereby maximizing student participation. The textbook emphasizes the cultivation of students' comprehensive abilities and various English skills. For example, teachers provide information needed for reading texts through listening exercises, students understand the texts through discussions, and students deepen their understanding of the texts and related topics through writing. The use of this teaching method addresses the shortcomings of traditional intensive reading classes, which solely emphasized grammatical structure analysis and vocabulary usage. It enables students to move beyond the surface meaning of the text, combining their background knowledge and personal experiences to gain a deeper understanding of the author's underlying message through discussions with peers. This transforms their learning from a shallow level to a deeper one.
In terms of content, the textbook has abolished the sentence pattern substitution exercises found in traditional intensive reading materials and has increased oral practice and discussions. At the beginning of each lesson is a "warm-up" exercise designed to energize the classroom atmosphere and prepare students for understanding the following text. The texts are moderately difficult and unadapted, allowing students to experience real English and avoid incorrect assumptions about language use in real life. Both famous literary works and contemporary articles that reflect the characteristics of modern English are used, enabling students to learn and appreciate the elegant and rigorous language of classic works while also experiencing the contemporary flavor of English through the works of modern writers. This provides them with a comprehensive understanding of the development of the English language. The themes covered in the texts align with the requirements of the new syllabus and reflect students' academic lives and interests, thereby increasing their engagement.
The design of the post-lesson exercises also follows a practical principle. In addition to helping students consolidate their existing grammatical and linguistic knowledge, the exercises also familiarize them with the format of the English majors' Level 4 examination, such as dictation, cloze tests, and multiple-choice questions. The exercises also include content tailored to the learning habits of Chinese students, such as memorizing famous literary passages, with the aim of improving their appreciation level and English language intuition.