Abstract

Schema theory is a kind of cognitive theory, and it is about how the knowledge of people is represented, classified, and effectively used. This thesis states the conception of schema theory, types of schema and the functions of schema theory. It analyses the relationships between linguistic schema and reading comprehension, formal schema and reading comprehension, content schema and reading comprehension. We have a brief introduction to three models of reading comprehension, namely, the top-down model, the bottom-up model and the interactive model. We think that teachers should try to employ the three models when teaching reading and carry out some pre-reading activities like predicting and brainstorming, while-reading activities including skimming and scanning, and post-reading activities like asking questions, discussing, and summarizing. In all, the application of schema theory to the teaching of English reading will facilitate the improvement of students’ reading ability.

Keywords: Schema theory; English reading teaching; models of English reading; reading activities

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-1

3. Schema Theory-2

3.1Definition of schema-2

3.2Three types of Schema Theory-3

3.3 Functions of schema-4

4. Schema Theory and Reading Comprehension-6

4.1 Linguistic schema and reading comprehension-6

4.2 Formal schema and reading comprehension-6

4.3 Content schema and reading comprehension-7

5. Schema-based Models of Reading Comprehension-7

5.1The top-down model-7

5.2 The bottom-up model-8

5.3 Interactive model-8

6. Implications for Teaching Reading-9

6.1 Providing cultural background knowledge-9

6.2 Encouraging students’ extensive reading-9

6.3 Carrying out three-stage reading activities-10

7. Conclusion-12

Works Cited-14