在英语作为外语的(以下简称EFL)教学里,当前进行的辩论围绕着须要教英语的使用而不仅教其结构和词汇。于是许多教师在相互争先的教学重点上,特别是在支持“结构的方法”与支持“意念的(或功能的)途径”之间无所适从。问题的实质可以概括为这样一个观点:必须教会学生有效地使用英语进行交际,因为这是他们的目标。支持这一观点的论点——我称之为交际能力论点——有下列论证: 1.EFL教学的目标是有效的、真实生活的交际。 In English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching, the current debate revolves around the need to teach English rather than teaching its structure and vocabulary. As a result, many teachers find themselves at a loss of focus on teaching each other’s priorities, especially in support of “structured approaches” and in support of “ideological (or functional) pathways.” The substance of the problem can be summed up as a point of view: Students must be taught to use English effectively to communicate because it is their goal. The arguments in support of this view - what I call the Communicative Competence thesis - have the following arguments: 1. EFL teaching aims to be effective and real-life communication.