The College English Curriculum Guide presents three levels of college English teaching, dividing the teaching contents into English for general purposes, for special purposes and for cross-cultural communication. In response to the college English teaching reform, we explore and practice the “Prose Method” in “Selected Readings of English Prose”, as one of the College English courses for cross-cultural communication. We select the classical prose (broadly defined) in English from the 16th century to the 20th century, classifying them into different historical periods and various literary themes. With the close reading of prose excerpts and detailed analysis of their writing technique, we will activate students to trace some important changes of English prose style in the selected periods and cultivate students to develop their own linguistic sensibility and the historical-cultural meanings that go with the English prose. Based on the course instruction, this paper will discuss the exploration and practice of “Prose Method” in college English teaching, and hence further enhance students’ English proficiency, cultural awareness, and literary education through the “Prose Method”.

“Prose Method”; college English teaching; English prose