一.views on language
1.Structural view 结构观
观点：The structural view of language sees language as a linguistic system made up of various subsystems: phonology, morphology, lexicology and syntax. Each language has a finite number of such structural items.
任务：To learn a language is to learn these structural items so as to be able to understand and produce language. The structural view limits knowing a language to knowing its structural rules and vocabulary.
教学方法：When this structural view of language was combined with the stimulus-response principles of behavioristic psychology, the audio-lingual approach to language learning emerged.
2.The functional view of language
观点：The functional view not only sees language as a linguistic system but also a means for doing things. Most of our day-to-day language use involves functional activities: offering, suggesting, apologizing, etc.
Therefore, learners learn a language in order to do things with it.
任务：In order to perform functions, learners need to know how to combine the grammatical rules and the vocabulary to express notions that perform the functions.
教学方法：Functional-notional syllabus is based on this view of language.
3.The interactional view of language 互动观
观点：The interactional view considers language to be a communicative tool, whose
main use is to build up and maintain social relations between people.
任务：Therefore, learners not only need to know the grammar and vocabulary of the language but as importantly, they need to know rules for using them in whole range of communicative contexts.
教学方法：Communicative approach is based on this view of language.
