An Elementary Analysis of New Senior English for China

        An Elementary Analysis of New Senior English for China
                       李云英
（岷县二中，甘肃  定西  748400）
摘  要：This paper makes a brief analysis of New Senior English For China (students' book). (NSEFC),which stands out for its task-based pattern and learner-centered activity, which is highlighted in the paper.
关键词：NSEFC, task-based, analysis, textbook evaluation.
English, as an international language, is widely used in different fields. It is taken by many countries as mother tongue, second language and has turned into an effective tool of communication among the various countries and ethnic groups. English is made a compulsory course in many countries' middle school education.  For a course, a good textbook is needed in order to meet the need of globalization of the world economy and international communication. In senior middle school, we use New Senior English for China (NSEFC).
1 Analysis of NSEFC
    NSEFC embodies five goals of New National English Curriculum. The five primary goals of knowledge, skills, emotional attitudes, learning strategies, and cultural awareness penetrate the textbooks. It has the following charicteristics:
(1) Pay Great Attention to Knowledge
(2 )Emphasize the Skills
NSEFC emphasizes four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking for complete communication, and it highlights the necessity of integrating four skills coherently.
(3) Cultivate Emotional Attitudes
The purpose of encouraging Ss to learn foreign language, understand foreign culture is to form positive attitudes towards different cultures as well as developing patriotism. Affect and attitudes have a life-long influence on individuals. In NSEFC, heroes and heroines, from different countries are introduced. It also talks about failure and success in order to encourage Ss or give them confidence.
(4) Develop Ss' Learning Strategies
(5) Stimulate Ss' Cultural Awareness
Language is closely related to culture. In most cases, it expresses and embodies cultural reality. No one can learn a foreign language well or express his ideas appropriately in the target language without knowing the culture. 
2 The Advantages of NSEFC
2.1 Adaptability of Topics and Language
The learners profit greatly from the contents of NSEFC. First, the topics are close to the Ss' life. So, learners are highly motivated by it. NSEFC talks about friendship, heroes, relics, environmental protection, festival, literature, art, drama, architecture, etc. There are more than 50 topics involved in the textbooks.  The presentation of the language is natural, genuine, real and lively. This textbook engages specialists from English-speaking countries, such as the UK, America, Canada and Australia as advisers to compile the textbook. Thus, the textbook guarantees the nature of English.
2.2 Diversity of Patterns and Methods
   Teaching has no fixed methods. Allowing for difference of teachers, students and the educational circumstances, the textbook adopt various patterns and models. The basic pattern is that function, structure, topics are combined with task-based activity, of which topic is the core. And the main clue in this pattern is structure and function. The design aims to accomplish teaching objectives through task-based activity and project. SinceNSEFC is task-based, it advocates the diversity of learning methods and teaching methods, which can help students to learn English in a challenging and stimulating way.
2.3 The Integration of Subjects
   The integration of subjects and mutual support has become a new trend of English teaching. This textbook lays stress on the horizontal linkage of English and other subjects. Multiple topics in NSEFC cover the knowledge of human science and natural science, specifically, astronomy, geography, chemistry, medicine, literature, music, Information Technology, media, etc.
2.4 Elasticity and Different Levels
   The textbook appropriately extend the language material, so teachers are able to make flexible arrangement according to the Ss' practical situation. Thus, the textbook not only pays attention to the Ss' acceptance, but also provides space for Ss of different levels to develop their potential.
2.5 Optimization of Multi-media
The design of NSEFC is conducive to implementation of the multi-media teaching. Apart from Exercise Books, Teacher’s book, this course book also includes tape, courseware, wall map, extensive listening materials, etc. The rich teaching resources create conditions for teachers and students.
2.6 Adding of Procedural Assessment
In addition to tips on diagnostic tests, the textbook provides tips of self-evaluation for Ss. The aim of this formative assessment is to make the Ss to reflect continuously in the learning process so as to affirm achievements, find out problems, adjust one's objectives and strategies. Ss self-evaluation and procedural assessment or formative assessment has taken the place of traditional product-oriented evaluation.
3 Conclusion
This paper analyzes the characteristics of the NSEFC. Sequentially, the advantages of the textbook are dug out one by one, from language features to language structure, from adaptability to flexibility, from diversity to integration. Obviously, the NSEFC is suitable for the senior students.

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