Abstract: Listening comprehension is a comprehensive skill which is always the key point of English language learning in middle school. However, in the traditional teaching mode, the current English listening teaching situation in China is not satisfying. The students have many problems in listening comprehension, such as lack of the training for listening skills and the explanation of related background information. As an important conceptual framework of understanding, Schema Theory can form the corresponding schemata according to the materials and can exert positive effects in listening comprehension. This thesis analyzes the problems in listening teaching in middle school and tries to find out ways appropriate to listening teaching, hoping to adopt them into teaching practice.   

Key words: listening comprehension; middle school English; Schema Theory; listening teaching

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. The Teaching of English listening-2

2.1 Listening Comprehension-2

2.2 The Brief History of Listening Teaching-3

2.3 Current Status of Listening Teaching-4

3. Schema Theory and Listening Comprehension-6

3.1 Schema and Schema Theory-6

3.2 Classifications of Schema-8

3.3 Schema Functions in Listening Comprehension Process-10

3.4 A Small Experiment-12

4. The Way of Improving Listening Comprehension Based on Schema Theory-13

4.1 Pre-listening Activities-14

4.2 While-listening Activities-18

4.3 Post-listening Activities-18

5. Conclusion-20

References-21