语调是多年来人们一直争论、假设和思索的问题,而且现今依然神秘难测,可望而不可即。无论对学生还是教师,语调是一门令人迷恋的学科,也是令人惊惶不安的源泉,因为它是人们要想达到操本族语人那种熟练水平所必须逾越的最后一道难关。本文将概述一下英语语调教学的途径(approach),这条途径既使教师将语调系统地编进正式课程,也澄清语调在正常交谈中的形式和功能。此外,我们将通过提供一些与操本族语者运用语调的方式相吻合的简单符号和类型,企望师生有可能象探讨语法和词汇一样来讨论语调问题。 Intonation is a matter that people have been arguing, assuming and thinking for years, and is still mysterious and unpredictable today. Tone is an obsessive discipline for both students and teachers and is a source of disquiet as it is the last difficulty that one must overcome to achieve the proficiency level of native speakers. This article will provide an overview of the approach to English intonation teaching. This approach allows teachers to systematically put intonation into the formal curriculum as well as to clarify the form and function of intonation during normal conversations. In addition, we expect students and students to discuss intonation the same way they do grammar and vocabulary, by providing some simple symbols and types that align with the way in which native speakers use the intonation.