In this paper, the author will analyze the current situation of English writing in junior high school, and then explore and discuss the reasons for the errors in English writing, and put forward some strategies which not only require students to change their learning methods but also demand teachers to enhance their teaching patterns. Finally, the paper arrives at a conclusion that only with a good psychological quality, enough linguistic and background knowledge can students improve their writing ability effectively.
II. The Current Situation of English Writing
English writing is a written language output skill. It plays an important role in teaching junior high school. In order to catch up with the step of the curriculum reform, the Ministry of Education of China published Full-time Compulsory Education in Ordinary Senior Middle School English Curriculum Standards in 2002, which proposed specific standards and requirements in junior high school English writing. English curriculum standards proposed nine-level objectives and requirements for language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. In writing, the junior school students’ writing is required to reach five-level. On the basis of these requirements, students can describe some simple figures or events and write some simple narrations. It can be concluded from the objectives and requirements, that the ability of English writing is more and more important. Some problems in junior school students’ writing were found when the author worked as a practice teacher in the No.5 Junior School in Changchun.
2.1 The Lack of English Elementary Knowledge
A good knowledge of English is the precondition of English writing, but the current situation of English writing in junior high school is worrisome. Some students lack adequate training at ordinary times, so they feel it difficult to begin to write. Meanwhile, the compositions which students write have inappropriate words, and even the expression is not clear.
2.1.1 Misuse of words
The process of writing is more than the process of using words, the process of communication in writing and written expression. Students need to use the vocabulary in different genre style by practice, so they should master vocabulary in writing practice. They should try to use the words and phrases which they have learnt to express their own thoughts and to describe their life. Vocabulary is indispensable in writing, as building a house needs sand, stone, cement and steel. However, the small amount of vocabulary is difficult to for students to express their real thoughts.
The New Curriculum Standards have required that each student should master the 2000-2500 English words. But the fact is that the volume of vocabulary which students master is not enough. On the other hand, vocabulary errors are one of the most common and frequent errors students made in their writing. They should learn to make choices from his vocabulary to express himself freely. But many students cannot choose the right words to express their ideas or feelings. Their competence to put the words into a composition is weak. There are some examples of common errors: 初中学生英语写作现状分析及对策(2):http://www.youerw.com/yingyu/lunwen_6832.html