ELEVEN YEARS OF

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

About Holistic English

Dr. Niu Qiang of Changchun University and Dr. Martin Wolff,  a China “foreign expert” since 2002,  have spent the past 11 years developing an innovative oral English foreign language acquisition program referred to as Holistic English. This new program provides a unique English acquisition experience and actually results in graduates who can produce comprehensible English output. Holistic English has been adopted by several universities and companies to replace their previous oral English classes that have proven to be ineffective.

Participating colleges and universities include Changchun University, Guangxi University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, PetroChina Guangzhou Training Center, Shanghai Institute of International Exchange, Shanghai University, Shanghai Normal University, Shenyang Normal University, Tong ji University, Xinyang Agricultural College, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang Vocational College, Yang En University, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and Zhongshan University (Sun Yat-sen University)

The Holistic English Program replaces traditional oral English learning with a conversation-based English acquisition experience; replaces teachers with facilitators; replaces set phrase or speech pattern memorization with language acquisition; develops self-confidence, intrinsic motivation and develops autonomous learners and creative thinkers; replaces graduates who cannot produce comprehensible English with those who can.

Holistic English is a significant departure from the traditional “talk and chalk” teaching method and substitutes implementation of modern 2nd language acquisition pedagogy. The oral English class becomes the conversation English lounge. But comprehensible input is the key, not immediate comprehensible output. The program was developed around Steven Krashen’s 2nd language acquisition theory in that acquisition occurs best when there is comprehensible input in a friendly environment.

Site Content and Organization

The Holistic English website is an integral CALL tool utilized in the Holistic English Program. Students are encouraged to read more English and write more English by utilizing this web site. Only  students  may register and make comments on various topics including the HE movies, economics, education, politics, social issues etc. The students also post their answers to the final take-home written exam.

We hope you enjoy your visit and find this site to be both informative and enlightening. For questions, comments, or general inquiries about Holistic English, click on the Contact menu item above.

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