Using Schema Theory to Improve the Teaching of English Reading

According to Stephen Krashen's Input Theory, reading is a very important way of inputting. It plays a fatal role in language learning. To improve students' reading comprehension ability is also a main purpose of college English teaching. The author tried to use schema theory to improve the English reading teaching by analyzing the obstacles in reading and the functions of schema theory in reading. Schema's role in reading comprehension lies in two aspects. It helps us to predict text content and contributes to the allocation of attention. By using schema theory to guide the teaching of English reading, teachers should not only pay attention to the teaching of language knowledge, but also enrich students' content schemas, including knowledge of text information, context atmosphere and cultural background. Our teaching center should be moved from "words and sentences" in the past to "discourse". Teachers should urge students to value after-reading activities, including extension and expansion.