A Research On The Application Of Thematic Theory To EFL Reading Teaching

The present paper applies thematic theory to EFL reading teaching withthe intent to improve reading efficiency among non-English majors.Based on many researches on thematic theory and many related appliedresearches, this paper applies thematic theory to EFL reading teaching, andfurther hypothesizes that the application of thematic theory can foster efficientreading among non-English majors. The hypothesis is presented by two moreconcrete questions: What is the effect of the application of thematic theory onthe global understanding in EFL reading? What is the effect of the applicationof thematic theory on the detailed understanding in EFL reading? In a bid toanswer the two questions, a three-phase experiment including twoexaminations and post-exam observation is designed.Based on the results of the experiment, this paper finds out that theapplication of thematic theory is a powerful device to obtain globalunderstanding; that the application of thematic theory also helps to get somedetailed understanding. These findings are then witnessed in class to bepositive. Besides, these findings are expected to give some implication toChinese English teachers.