SFG-based Context And Contextual Teaching Research

In traditional linguistic studies, the research focus is basically phonology,vocabulary, and grammar. Since Malinowski emphasizes the importance of context tothe understanding of meaning in his anthropological research, context occupies anincreasingly important position in modern linguistics. As a matter of fact, languagegenerates in context, and utilizes in context. The important role context plays in foreignlanguage teaching is consistent with its position in modern linguistics. Accordingly,contextual teaching has become an important research trend in foreign languageteaching.In this background, this paper researches into the contextual theory and itsapplication in foreign language teaching from the perspective of Systemic FunctionalLinguistics. The focus is laid on the teaching method of "Systemic Teaching andLearning Cycle" proposed by Hammond, which provides a practical way for thecombination of reading and writing. Reading and writing activities are carried outaround a specific theme or genre, which have a close relationship with culture andcontext. Although the object of reading and the final product of writing are differentlyreflected on language, they are still within the theme or genre. The cycle completes forthe reading and writing activities begin and finish within the same theme or genre.Furthermore, the paper conducts a comparative study on the current three textbooks:Advanced English Reading and Writing Course, New Horizon College English Readingand Writing Tutorial and21Century College English Reading and Writing Course, tofind their features on the selection of theme and genre for the better cultivation ofstudents’ reading and writing abilities.With the development and application of computer technology, situational contextteaching mode has been widely used in foreign language teaching. Computertechnology provides a new condition for the construction of context. It can providelearners with a lot of real, natural and vivid language information and the relevantcontextual information, which can make the learning process more flexible and moreadaptable. Thus the contextual learning advantages are fully played. Based on theadvantages, we propose to establish a contextual course website to assist theimprovement of students’ language capabilities.In this paper, the main research methodology applied is literature review andcomparative research method. Based on the first method, the paper traces the history ofthe context theory in Systemic Functional Grammar and its application in foreign language teaching as a teaching method. With the help of the second method, the papermakes a systematic and theory-supported comparison of the three textbook abovementioned in the aspect of genre and theme.Through this research, a conclusion is arrived at that the Systemic Teaching andLearning Cycle method is an important contextual teaching method, which finds itsexpression in the textbook as a major compiling principle. Through the principle, wecan develop the reading and writing ability of the students and avoids the shortcomingsof separate development of reading and writing in different courses.