戚躍進
【摘要】針對高中英語讀后續(xù)寫中學生存在的問題,結合課堂教學案例,通過對讀后續(xù)寫材料的梳理確定教學目標,幫助學生構建讀前、讀中、讀后的問題“腳手架”,論述如何把握續(xù)寫文章的時態(tài)人稱文風等基本要素、如何保證情節(jié)設計合理和主題升華恰當、如何實現(xiàn)學生反思提高和以評促寫的具體操作,同時對教師如何適配讀后續(xù)寫的教學素質要求進行了反思。
【關鍵詞】讀后續(xù)寫;提問;問題“腳手架”
讀后續(xù)寫應用于外語教學,可以彌補外語環(huán)境缺少與本組語者交流機會的不足,還可發(fā)揮寫作促進外語精確表達的功效。然而,在實際教學中,讀后續(xù)寫一直被視為一塊難啃的硬骨頭,學生的輸出問題諸多、不盡如人意,這就需要一線教師深入鉆研,尋找突破口。
一、學生續(xù)寫中存在的問題
筆者授課的主體對象是普通高中的高二學生,其在讀后續(xù)寫過程中存在的主要問題有:(1)基本要素把握不正確。學生在讀后續(xù)寫時不注意原文時態(tài)、人稱、故事發(fā)生的背景等基本要素,導致與原文銜接不準確。(2)詞匯儲備不充足。學生在閱讀給定的語言材料和續(xù)寫的段首提示語句時,會因為遇到掌握不到位的單詞或者詞組對文章的意思理解產(chǎn)生偏差而寫偏題。(3)語言運用不豐富。學生的語言表達能力較弱,主要體現(xiàn)在寫作中詞匯運用單一匱乏、句式簡單且中式化表達較多。(4)情節(jié)設計不合理。在解讀故事文本時,學生可能因為忽略了故事背景、人物性格、寫作風格等天馬行空地設計情節(jié)而導致與給定的續(xù)寫文本融合度低。(5)過渡銜接不自然。有的學生讀懂了語言材料,但是在續(xù)寫時不注意原文與續(xù)寫段、續(xù)寫兩段內容之間、續(xù)寫段落與開頭語之間的銜接,導致續(xù)寫內容過于生硬,難以形成邏輯上的統(tǒng)一。(6)主題探究不深刻。學生在續(xù)寫故事結尾時,無法回扣原文、挖掘內涵,進行主題升華。
二、續(xù)寫提問
基于以上存在問題,在讀后續(xù)寫教學實踐中,筆者發(fā)現(xiàn)通過運用提問的方式可以促進學生主動學習、研讀文本進行深入思考。本文將以一篇名為“A talent show”的文章為例,以提問的方式,幫助學生搭建讀后續(xù)寫的“腳手架”。
其中,原材料為:Lola and I had been friends since we were little kids. Lola was a smart, funny friend. But at school, Lola just didn’t fit in. Lola’s hair was curly and her thick glasses made her look like a fish. Girls in our school wore trendy, brand-name clothes, but Lola sewed hers. She stood out like a sore thumb.
Sometimes, it was embarrassing to be around Lola. People said rude things about her hair, clothes, glasses — even about the fact that she got really good grades. Lola always seemed to be able to ignore what other people thought,but I couldn’t.I started to keep my distance from her.
There was a talent show in our school each spring. Students would sing, dance, play musical instruments, and do everything else to put in their talent. Being our graduation season in this senior school, this year’s talent show would be obviously different. It would be a huge night.
Maya, an outgoing girl wanted me to be on her dance team. “We win the talent show every year, and we need a satisfactory graduation this year,” Maya said excitedly, “We need a new dancer. But just you, not her!” Maya pointed to someone behind me.
I didn’t have to turn around-I knew who she meant. “Uh, sure,” I mumbled. Maya was already heading out when I felt someone tap on my shoulder. It was Lola. When I saw her confused face, it was like waking up from a dream. Lola asked me if I was going to be in the talent show. I hesitated without response. “That’s great, Jane!” Lola said, “I’m going to participate this year, too!” I couldn’t believe what I had heard. I even pictured Lola in front of a huge crowd, everybody yelling and teasing. I was starting to worry.
The week passed quickly, and I barely saw Lola. I had to practise every day with Maya and the team. The other dancers already knew the steps, and I should keep up.
這篇文章主要講述了主角Lola和“I”從小就是好朋友。Lola雖然成績很好,但穿著樸素、頭發(fā)卷曲且?guī)е桓焙裱坨R,很難得到學校時髦女孩們的認同。很多女孩子都會取笑她,雖然她似乎不太在乎,“我”卻會時常感到尷尬。于是“我”開始慢慢疏遠她,后來在學校大型才藝秀時加入了以時髦女生Maya為代表的隊伍。作為隊伍的新成員,“我”因為對舞步不熟而勤加練習,但直至比賽當晚仍緊張萬分。即將上臺之際,“我”碰到了同樣要參加表演的Lola,續(xù)寫故事就此展開。
1.讀前基礎式提問
讀后續(xù)寫是一種將語言輸出與輸入緊密結合、旨在加速提高學生語言運用能力的方法。學生在嘗試進行讀后續(xù)寫的初始階段時,常常忽略“輸入”的重要性,不思考,提筆就寫,導致一些寫作的基本要素都無法與原文融合。所以,在讀文章前,老師設置了讀前的基本問題,學生通過讀前提問的方式來提醒自己避免一些不必要的低級錯誤,如:What tense is used in the article? Which person is used in this article? What is the writing style of this article? 等。讀前的基礎提問,可以幫助學生把握住續(xù)寫文章的時態(tài)、人稱等基本要素的正確性。
2.讀中邏輯式提問
(1)基本提問,針對故事要素。在續(xù)寫文章前,學生首先需要理解原文,把握故事的基本要素即5W (Who, what, when, where, why) 和1h (how)?;疽靥釂柕姆绞娇梢詭椭鷮W生抓住關鍵信息,讓續(xù)寫切合原文。所以,面對每一篇續(xù)寫文章時,就故事的基本要素提問都是必要的。續(xù)寫前的基本問題圍繞主要任務和環(huán)境展開?;締栴}設置為:When and where does the story happen? Who are the main characters of the story? What characteristics do they possess? What is the relationship between them? 具體實踐中,學生將這些基本問題記下,邊讀邊在文章中圈劃或者簡單記下關鍵詞。
在這份材料中,When and where的問題指向故事背景:在文章第三段有這么一句話:“It would be a huge night”而續(xù)寫第二段的提示語中有“I walked off the stage”,所以故事發(fā)生的時間地點為晚上和舞臺前后。其中,“huge”一詞的應用也體現(xiàn)了“我”對這場才藝展示十分重視,對后文“我”上臺緊張的續(xù)寫起了鋪墊作用。Who and what的三個問題指向故事中人物分析:I(Jane),Lola和Maya;其中,“我”和Lola是好友,后續(xù)故事發(fā)展的沖突也是發(fā)生在“我”和Lola之間。少部分同學因為沒有理清三者的關系,導致在續(xù)寫文章時誤寫成了“我”和Maya之間的故事。進行性格描述時,當學校時髦的女孩們因Lola的外貌和衣著而嘲笑她時,原文對“我”的反應描述為:“Lola always seemed to be able to ignore what other people thought, but I couldn’t. I started to keep my distance from her.”這是一句反應人物性格非常關鍵的句子,很多同學忽略了“seemed”這個詞,讀完后認為Lola總是能夠勇敢面對同齡人的嘲笑,而“我”卻因為和Lola這樣的“a sore thumb”交朋友感到尷尬。事實上是,Lola可能也會為此苦惱,因此就可以在續(xù)寫中添加“我”也鼓勵了Lola的情節(jié),如果在續(xù)寫段中要描寫同學們對Lola嘲諷的場景,則“seemed”還可以作為Lola微表情的鋪墊。
(2)細節(jié)提問,針對情節(jié)設計。理清故事的發(fā)生背景和主要人物后,就可以開始圍繞故事的另一要素—情節(jié)開始提問了。故事的情節(jié)分為開端、發(fā)展、高潮和結尾。所給材料中包含了故事的開端和發(fā)展,要學生續(xù)寫的是高潮和結尾。兩段續(xù)寫段首提示語分別為:提示語1: “Finally, the talent show came, and I felt more and more nervous.”;提示語2:“I walked off the stage and gave a glimpse of gratitude to Lola, who was ready to sing.”。針對提示語,緊扣原文,就能引導學生設計緊扣情節(jié)的問題鏈,搭建續(xù)寫腳手架。
在實際教學中,筆者根據(jù)多年從業(yè)實踐,一般會要求學生每一段續(xù)寫前至少向自己提3個問題。續(xù)寫第一段三個預設的問題應從提示語1出發(fā),聯(lián)系原文,并且要結合提示語2,這樣才能做到續(xù)寫段與原文、續(xù)寫兩段之間銜接自然。提示語1中說到“I felt more and more nervous”,相應地,預設的第一個問題Q1:Why did I feel nervous? 回讀原文最后一段:“The week passed quickly, and I barely saw Lola. I had to practise every day with Maya and the team. The other dancers already knew the steps, and I should keep up.”和之前的“a huge night”,學生答“我”緊張可能給是因為重視這場才藝秀,可能是因為“我”對舞步還不夠熟悉,也可能是因為“我”對自己不夠自信。于是追問:What would I do or how would I feel if I felt nervous? 追問激發(fā)學生的想象的同時,也告訴他們在續(xù)寫時,可以用人物的動作和心理描寫來推動情節(jié)的發(fā)展。這兩個問題可以回答為:An awful thought crept upon me,“What if I forget the steps?”So anxious did I feel that my mind went blank. I walked back and forth restlessly, my heart thumping wildly.再結合提示語2提問:Why did I give a glimpse of gratitude to Lola? 學生答:因為Lola幫助了我。所以,推動情節(jié)的預設問題可以設計為—Q2:What did Lola say or do to help me? Q3:How did I make it? 答:Sensing my emotion, Lola approached me and gave me a big hug.“Come on, Jane. You can make it.”Lola comforted, casting me a look of trust. I nodded to her with a smile, a surge of strength welling up in my heart. Taking a deep breath, I plucked up my courage and confidently walked onto the stage with my teammates. Much to my delight, I remembered every step and ultimately we gave a wonderful performance.
續(xù)寫第二段時,同樣結合提示語及材料中“I even pictured Lola in front of a huge crowd, everybody yelling and teasing. I was starting to worry.”預設問題Q4:What’s the audience’s reaction? 同時追加問題:What did I do? Q5: How was her performance at first? 追加問題:Could she ignore this time? What was Lola’s response to my encouragement?
在問題鏈的引導下,學生帶著問題回讀原文、緊扣提示語發(fā)問,思考情節(jié)發(fā)展和變化,就可以合理預測、分析故事,提升自己的構思能力,設計出合理而有創(chuàng)造性、原文融合相切的情節(jié)。
(3)深度提問,針對主題升華。續(xù)寫故事時,除了抓住人物的情感和情節(jié)的發(fā)展外,還要在解決故事沖突的同時深入主題。針對主題的一般問題就是:What’s the conflict of this story? What’s the theme of this story?本文中,情節(jié)的沖突(conflict)在于“我”因為Lola的“與眾不同”刻意疏遠她。沖突的化解方式就是續(xù)寫中我們的相互鼓勵。主題可以是自信、勇敢、友情、包容、自我成長等。在閱讀每一篇故事時,學生一定要將主題意義的探究刻在腦海中,這樣續(xù)寫才能融合于原文。
3.讀后自評式提問
學生和教師一樣是評價的主體,教師應設計適當?shù)脑u價方法和可行的評價工具,促進學生自我監(jiān)督式學習。學生開展自評有利于調動學生的內驅動力,啟發(fā)學生認識自我,發(fā)現(xiàn)自我,改進自我。在學習的每一個環(huán)節(jié)學生都可以通過以自評的方式促學,讀后、寫前同樣如此。讀后寫前的過程性評價有利于學生審視、反思自己的語言基礎及構思,為續(xù)寫任務做鋪墊。
學生的自評式提問可分為兩大類:①語言詞匯方面:Did I have any difficulty in understanding this article? Is there any unknown word that affects my idea? Can I use any various sentence patterns or advanced vocabulary to beautify my articles? 這3個問題旨在鼓勵學生走出英語學習的“舒適區(qū)”,不因為詞匯障礙而影響了整體閱讀理解的前提下,擴充自己的詞匯銀行,補充高級詞匯,為文章增加亮點。②情節(jié)設計方面:Have I designed question chain logically? Are those questions centered on the two sentence prompts? 這兩個問題旨在督促學生再次審視自己的設計是否符合邏輯,過渡銜接是否自然。
三、總結
文章通過讀前、讀中、讀后三個階段的問題搭建,圍繞語言詞匯、故事基本要素、情節(jié)發(fā)展、段首提示語展開問題,為續(xù)寫的正確性、具體性、連貫性搭建腳手架,幫助學生在回答問題時一步一步攀爬續(xù)寫這座大樓,降低寫作難度。細致的問題設計既能激發(fā)學生的寫作思維,又能讓續(xù)寫語言更豐富,銜接更自然,邏輯更嚴謹。教師在幫助學生搭建問題腳手架時,要對學生基礎和文本有充分的理解,在此基礎之上預設符合學情、深入文本的問題。這對教師的同理共情能力和語篇分析能力提出了更高要求。
【參考文獻】
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