A Study On The Attrition Of The Ing-form Of English Verbs In Chinese Context

The present study focuses on the attrition of the ing-form of English verbs in Chinesecontext, or more detailed, the loss of the language skills concerning this structure in theuniversity non-English-major graduates who have learned English as a foreign languagesystematically and then discontinued the use of it for a period of time. The paper makes anendeavor to answer the following questions:(1) As a relatively early-learned structure, isthe ing-form of English verbs really affected by attrition among Chinese learners after aperiod of non-use?(2) Why is the Regression hypothesis applicable in explaining theattrition of ing-form of English verbs in the Chinese context?(3) How is the learner’sEnglish proficiency before the cease of using English connected with the attrition results?(4) Can we find any relations between the linguistic features and the attrition of ing-formof English verbs acquired in the Chinese context?Employing a quantitative method, the paper investigates into106subjects with aperiod of non-use of English for more than1year. A questionnaire about the maintenanceof English and an English language test (i.e. Sentence test) are chosen to be the researchinstruments. Conclusions of the results can be drawn as follows:(1) The structure ofing-form of English verbs was affected by attrition among Chinese learners after non-useof English for more than1year;(2) The sequence of the attrition of ing-form is primarilyin accordance with the description of the Regression Hypothesis, which supports thetheory in explaining the attrition of ing-form in Chinese context;(3) If the learner hasachieved a relatively high proficiency level of English or reached the threshold value, the amount and speed of attrition would be relatively little;(4) Generally speaking, the betterthe information of English structures is connected, the less the amount and speed ofattrition in Chinese English learners will be. Finally, the paper provides some suggestionsbased on the above, with the hope that the suggestions can serve as a reference to thefurther development of language attrition, and contribute to the English teaching in China.