《基础英语》作为英语专业本科基础阶段的专业主干课在培养学生专业兴趣,奠定学生专业能力,提升学生专业素质上承担着其他课程不可替代的重要作用。因此《基础英语》的课程改革成败与否对于英语专业的人才培养质量至关重要。本文试图阐释认知理论在《基础英语》课程改革中运用的必要性。 “Basic English”, as a professional trunk course for the basic stage of English majors, plays an important and irreplaceable role in cultivating students ’professional interests, laying the students’ professional abilities and enhancing their professional qualities. Therefore, the “basic English” curriculum reform success or failure of English professional talent training quality is crucial. This article attempts to explain the necessity of using cognitive theory in the reform of “basic English” curriculum.