Abstract:Language and culture are inseparable. Therefore, culture teaching should be incorporated into the language teaching, which has become a general consensus of linguists and language teachers. Take English for example. Its vocabulary as one of the main composing elements of a language carries specific culturle of English-speaking countries. So in vocabulary teaching, teachers need to pay attention to the methodology on vocabulary teaching involved with cultural aspects and eventually expect to improve learners’ ability in intercultural communication. This dissertation takes sample tests on the acquisition of connotative meaning of vocabulary among Senior High School students as actual reference combined with related supporting linguistic theories in vocabulary teaching to discuss the core necessity and major methods to bring up cultural awareness in vocabulary teaching.

Key words: culture, language, vocabulary, New Curriculum, cultural awareness

Contents

中文摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

Chapter 2 Relationships among Vocabulary, Language, and Culture-3

2.1 Language and Culture-3

2.2 Vocabulary and Culture-3

Chapter 3 Types of Vocabulary Meaning-5

3.1 Conceptual Meaning-5

3.2 Associational Meaning-5

3.3 Cultural Inherited Words-6

Chapter 4 Requirements of Senior English in New Curriculum Standard-7

Chapter 5 A Test on the Acquisition of Words’ Connotative Meaning among Senior High School Students-9

5.1 Design of the Test-9

5.2 Results and Discussion of the Test-9

5.2.1 Results Demonstrated in the Form of Table-9

5.3 Analysis of Sample Test-10

5.3.1 Transverse Comparison (Undertook in the Same Grade)-10

5.3.2 Longitudinal Comparison (among Different Grades)-11

5.4 Discussion of Possible Reasons-12

Chapter 6 Implications to Vocabulary Teaching Methodology-15

6.1 Principles in Learning and Teaching Vocabulary-15

6.2 Skills in Classroom Vocabulary Teaching-16

6.2.1 Using Visual Aids-16

6.2.2 Authentic Reading Texts-16

6.2.3 Speaking Activities-17

6.2.4 Games, Questionnaires and Problem Solving Activities-17

Chapter 7 Conclusion-18

7.1 Summary on this Dissertation-18

7.2 Limitation of this Dissertation-18

References-20

Acknowledgements-21

Appendix: Test Paper Used in this Dissertation-22