Abstract

English grammar is a very important part in English teaching. Teachers spend a large amount of time on grammar teaching, which turns out to be of low efficiency. Some of the students still have little knowledge of English grammar and that their concept of grammar is not clear. Therefore, it is urgent to explore new grammar teaching methods which are suitable for Chinese. Language transfer, including positive transfer and negative transfer, is unavoidable in second language acquisition. For a long time, there are many researches aiming at avoiding negative transfer of native language while positive transfer of native language is relatively neglected. This paper first introduces English grammar teaching in China and the language transfer theory. Then, it goes on with the comparison of the similarities in English and Chinese grammar, trying to combine the language transfer theory with the teaching of English grammar in middle school, and uses transfer theory to strengthen the application of positive transfer of Chinese so as to help students improve their abilities of applying the five simple sentence patterns, and consolidate their basic English grammar. The author hopes that it would be a new way of thinking for English grammar teaching in the middle school. 

Keywords: English grammar teaching; the positive transfer of native language; similarities of English and Chinese grammar

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

3. Language Transfer Theory-3

3.1 Definition of language transfer theory-3

3.2 Classification of language transfer-4

3.3 Overseas and domestic research status of language transfer and its analysis-5

4. Similarities in English and Chinese Grammar-6

4.1 Morphology similarities-6

4.2 Syntax similarities-8

4.3 English and Chinese punctuation-11

4.4 The possibilities of the implication of positive transfer of Chinese in   middle school English grammar teaching-11

5. Manifestation of Positive Transfer of Chinese in English Grammar  Teaching and Teaching Strategies-12

6. Conclusion-15

Works Cited-17