A Study On Communicative Competence Of Chinese Adult EFL Learners

Low communicative competence, a common problem for Chinese adult English learners, contrasts sharply with their comprehensive grammar knowledge and large vocabulary. How does it come? Through linguistic research and analysis on the current situation of Chinese adults' English learning, this paper will be focused on the explanation in the main reasons. They are shortage of language environment, lack of opportunities to practice spoken English, sticking to grammar-oriented learning habits shaped in school education, psychological barriers unique to adults as well as outmoded teaching methods.In order to better this situation, the writer offers several personal suggestions. One the one hand, based on linguistics theories and principles, a language teaching setting should be established with authentic English movies as cultural carriers so as to be in conformity with the teaching philosophy of combining language teaching with cultural teaching; on the other hand, the class should be organized in a learner-centered and communication-oriented manner instead of the traditional teacher-centered and grammar-oriented one. Dispelling psychological barriers enables learners to enhance their communicative competence effectively. Furthermore, it is also of great importance to facilitate learners' initiative, therefore, English teachers are obliged to improve their professional competence and teaching arts. In order to put those proposals into practice, the writer also proposes making better use of modern teaching aids, such as multimedia, so as to provide learners with access to amount of authentic practical English information. From the writer's view, creating a learner-centered and interactive and true-to-life learning environment is crucial to enhance learners' communicative competence.