本书是专为外语教师及准教师编写的一部关于外语教学基本理论及实践方法的综合性指导书籍。

本书涵盖的内容也和其他同类书籍差不多：从语言能力的界定到外语学习的规律，从外语教学的原则和方法到四种基本技能的培养，从语言的文化背景到语言测试的设计，再到课堂教学的实施。这些话题都是外语教师们十分熟悉的。然而，正如它的标题——“在语境中教语言”明确提示的那样，书中探讨的是具体使用情境中的语言和语言教学的上述相关层面。换言之，“语境”是本书探讨问题的前提，也是贯穿全书的一条基本线索。这一特征又使得本书与其他同类书籍十分不同，它极大地提高了本书的实用价值，拉近了这部著作与一线外语教师间的距离。

“圣智英语教师丛书”精选自圣智学习出版公司出版的当代语言教育领域的力作，由当今国际语言教育界的权威人士编著，国内英语教育界专家、学者撰写导读。丛书选题涵盖外语教学理论、语言教学技能和实践、学法指导、课程设计、语言测试与评估、外语教学科研方法、师资发展、语境和文化教学以及教学法等诸多领域，能够满足目前英语教师适应新课改的迫切需要。本丛书既可用作英语教师专业化教育与发展和英语专业硕士研究生教育的教材，同时也是语言教育研究者必备的参考书。

导读

  Preface 

  Acknowledgments 

1 On Knowing a Language

Introduction 

Defining Language Proficiency 

Proficiency and Language Acquisition Theory

Some Research Findings about Oral Proficiency 

Issues in Language Proficiency Assessment: Caveats, Clarifications, and New Directions 

Defining the Content of Instruction: The Standards for Foreign Language Learning 

Summary: On Knowing a Language 

Activities for Review and Discussion 

References 

2 On Learning a Language 

Introduction 

Exploring Theories of Language Learning 

The Role of Individual Learner Factors in Second-Language Learning 

Relating Theory to Practice: Some Considerations 

Summary: On Learning a Language 

Activities for Review and Discussion 

References 

3 On Teaching a Language 

Orienting Instruction toward Proficiency 

The Proficiency Orientation of Existing Methodologies: A Preliminary Appraisal 

Three "Traditional" Methods

Reactions to Audiolingualism: Two Mentalist Perspectives 

A Functional Approach: Communicative Language Teaching 

Modem Adaptations of the Direct Method 

Humanistic Approaches to Language Teaching

Summary:. On Teaching a Language 

Activities for Review and Discussion

References

4 The Role of Context in Comprehension and Learning 

The Importance of Context and Background Knowledge in the

 Comprehension Process: Some Theoretical Considerations

Research on the Role of Context in Comprehension 

The Role of Computers in Providing Richer Contexts for Language Learning 

Integrating Language and Content: Immersion and Content-Based Instruction

Summary: The Role of Context in Comprehension and Learning 

Activities for Review and Discussion 

References 

5 A Proficiency-Oriented Approach to Listening and Reading

A Rationale for Teaching Listening and Reading 

Similarities in Listening and Reading

Differences between Spoken and Written Discourse

Integrating Listening, Reading, and the Productive Skills: The Vision of

the Standards for Foreign Language Learning 

Teaching Listening Comprehension 

Sample Formats for Listening Comprehension 

Teaching Reading Comprehension

Sample Formats for Reading Comprehension

Summary: A Proficiency-Oriented Approach to Listening and Reading

Activities for Review and Discussion 

References  

6 Developing Oral Proficiency

The Nature of Interlanguage 

Planning Instruction for the Development of Oral Proficiency 

Responding to the Learner 

Summary: Developing Oral Proficiency 

Activities for Review and Discussion 

References

7 Becoming Proficient in Writing

Approaches to Teaching Writing at the Lower Levels of Proficiency

Expressive Writing at the Intermediate and Advanced Levels: Approaches to

 Teaching the Composing Process 

Summary: Becoming Proficient in Writing 

Activities for Review and Discussion

References

8 Teaching for Cultural Understanding 

Introduction 

Problems in the Teaching of Culture 

Definitions, Models, Inventories, and Frameworks: Capturing the Essence of "Culture" 

Strategies for Teaching Culture

Summary: Teaching for Cultural Understanding

Activities for Review and Discussion

References

9 Classroom Testing

Introduction

The Case for Hybrid Classroom Tests

Characteristics of Test Items and Item Types 

Listening Comprehension Formats 

Reading Comprehension Formats 

Writing and Mixed-Skills Formats 

Guidelines for Creating Contextualized Paper-and-Pencil Tests 

Testing Oral Skills 

Summary: Classroom Testing 

Appendix

Activities for Review and Discussion

References 

Epilogue Planning Instruction for the Proficiency-Oriented Classroom

Setting Goals for a Proficiency-Oriented Program 

Guidelines for Planning Lessons

Increasing Focus on Students' Interests

In Conclusion

Activities for Review and Discussion

References

Appendix A ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines--Speaking Revised 1999 

Appendix B Sample Foreign Language Media Evaluation Criteria

Appendix C Samples of Error Coding Procedures for Written Work

Text Permissions

Index