Basic English Course (IV) Student Book

Author: Ma Hongqi et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-02-01
Features: The third and fourth volumes of Basic English Course were compiled according to the new syllabus issued by 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 use the communicative approach for teaching, transforming the one-way communication of traditional intensive reading classes—where the teacher dominates 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, the teacher provides information needed for reading through listening, students discuss to understand the text, and students deepen their comprehension of the text and related topics through writing. The use of this teaching method addresses the drawbacks 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 shifts their learning from a superficial level to a deeper one.
In terms of content, the textbook has eliminated sentence pattern substitution exercises from previous intensive reading materials and has added 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 subsequent text. The texts are moderately challenging and unadapted, allowing students to experience authentic English and avoid incorrect assumptions about language use in real life. Both classic masterpieces and contemporary works that reflect modern English characteristics are used, enabling students to learn and appreciate the elegant and rigorous language of classics while also experiencing the contemporary essence 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 enhancing their engagement.
The design of the after-text exercises also follows a practical principle. In addition to helping students consolidate their existing grammatical and linguistic knowledge, the exercises familiarize them with the format of the English Proficiency Test (BEC) they will face, 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 passages, with the aim of improving their appreciation level and English intuition.