Study on Teaching College English Writing Based on Lexical Chunks

Abstract

College English writing is one of the four basic skills in English learning, which can objectively reflect students’ language ability. Whereas, English writing is considered to be the most difficult part to improve. As we can see, in the essays of the Chinese college students, there often appears Chinglish, correct in grammar but unauthentic in expression. In order to better the situation, the author has introduced the new idea of lexical chunks into the teaching of college English writing. Under this guideline, students should firstly understand the lexical chunks theory, ranging from the definition to the various classifications of lexical chunks. Afterwards, students should learn to recognize and even learn some important chunks by heart. The third step should lie in their daily practice of consciously using chunks they learned in their writings, followed by the final step of appropriate usage of chunks unconsciously. Students are expected to improve their writing ability in the process of identifying and using lexical chunks.