Abstract:In order to meet the need of the present education and society of China, a new English Syllabus, the New English Curriculum Standard has been carried out. However, what is it different from the The Secondary English Syllabus that has been used in China before? What special features and merits does the Standard have? This essay makes a general comparison between them, and focuses on their general objectives, specific targets, teaching assessments and teaching methodologies in particular. 

Key words: comparison; syllabus; curriculum standard

中文摘要:为了更好的适应我国当前的社会发展需求，新一轮的课程改革浪潮也随之兴起。但是这次实施的英语课程标准与之前的英语教学大纲有何不同，有什么优点和特征呢？本文就此对中学英语新旧教学大纲做了比较和分析。论文丛教学方法，教学评价和教学目标等方面进行了一个总体的比较，目的是为了更好地理解英语课程标准。

关键词：比较；教学大纲；课程标准

　　　In order to adjust the Basic English Education to the development of China’s economy and society, the National English Curriculum Standard (here after abbreviated as the Standard) for trial was promulgated in July 2001 by the Educational Ministry of China. This marks the beginning of the course reform of foundational English education in China. According to the Chinese Educational Ministry, since the fall of 2001, the Standard has been carried out in 27 provinces of China. It means that the Standard will take the place of the English Syllabus which has been used before. That is to say, the Standard will be used as a guide for the programmatic document of Chinese Basic English education reform. Therefore, it has been put into effect widely throughout the country. Then, what is the difference between the Secondary English Syllabus and the Standard; what special features and merits does the Standard have? This essay makes a general comparison between them, and especially focuses on their general objectives, specific targets, teaching assessments and teaching approaches.

2. Comparisons of general objectives