作为一个旨在揭示英语作为外语磨蚀的模式和原因的研究，《中国大学生英语磨蚀实证研究》对外语磨蚀研究的贡献是：首先，本研究发现了表现在中国英语专业大学毕业生身上的作为外语学得的英语的磨蚀模式，而且发现磨蚀模式非常符合遗忘曲线理论。其次，磨蚀原因的发现有助于提出遏制磨蚀或至少减缓磨蚀速度的措施。第三，作为国内第一项关于英语磨蚀的系统的实证研究，本研究丰富了国际外语磨蚀研究。本书由王湘云著。

Chapter One Introduction

 1.1 Research Background

 1.2 Statement of the Problems

 1.3 Purposes of the Research

 1.4 Organization of This Book

Chapter Two Literature Review

 2.1 Language Attrition Revealed through Intuition and Observation

 2.2 Definition of Language Attrition

 2.3 A Diachronic Review of Language Attrition Studies

2.3.1 The First Period (1980-1988)

2.3.2 The Second Period (1989-1999)

2.3.3 The Third Period (2000-2010)

 2.4 The Nature of Language Attrition

2.4.1 Proficiency

2.4.2 Skills

2.4.3 Rate of Attrition

2.4.4 Order of Attrition

 2.5 Factors Affecting Language Attrition

2.5.1 Contact

2.5.2 Teaching Methods

2.5.3 Age

2.5.4 Attitudes and Motivations

2.5.5 Literacy

2.5.6 Cultural Contexts

2.5.7 Linguistic Interference

 2.6 Language Attrition Study in China

 2.7 Concluding Remarks

Chapter Three Methodology

 3.1 Research Questions

 3.2 Design of the Research

3.2.1 Justifications for the Use of the Cross-Sectional Research Method

3.2.2 Skills to Be Tested

 3.3 Instrument One. A Diagnostic English Test

3.3.1 Proficiency Levels to Be Tested

3.3.2 Composition of the Test

 3.4 Instrument Two, An Attitude and Motivation Questionnaire

 3.5 Validating of the Test

 3.6 Pilot Study

 3.7 Sampling

3.7.1 English Major Undergraduates

3.7.2 English Major Graduates

 3.8 Procedures for Administration

 3.9 Re-evaluation of the Test and the Questionnaire

3.9.1 Re-evaluation of the Test

3.9.2 Re-evaluation of the Questionnaire

Chapter Four Results and Findings

 4.1 Profile of English Attrition

4.1.1 Actuality of Attrition

4.1.2 Degree of Attrition

4.1.3 Pattern of Attrition

 4.2 Attrition of Different Language Skills

4.2.1 Actuality of Attrition of Different Skills

4.2.2 Degree of Attrition of Different Skills

4.2.3 Attrition Patterns of Different Skills

 4.3 Order of Attrition

4.3.1 At the Level of Subtests

4.3.2 At the Level of Items with the Same Difficulty Level

 4.4 Attrition and Language Attitudes/Motivations

4.4.1 Correlation between Total Test Score and Total Questionnaire Score

4.4.2 Correlation between Total Test Score and Score of Component Parts and Component Sections of Part II in the Questionnaire

4.4.3 Correlation between Total Test Score and Score of Each Item of the Questionnaire

4.4.4 Correlation between Subtest Score and Total Questionnaire Score

Chapter Five Discussion

 5.1 Actuality of EngliSh Attrition

5.1.1 Attrition of General Language Skills

5.1.2 Attrition of Different Language Skills

 5.2 Degree of Attrition

5.2.1 Attrition of General Language Skills

5.2.2 Attrition of Different Language Skills

 5.3 Patterns of English Attrition

5.3.1 Order of English Attrition

5.3.2 Patterns of Specific Language Skill Attrition

 5.4 Relationship between Language Attitudes and Language Attrition

Chapter Six Conclusion

 6.1 Summary of Major Findings

 6.2 Implications

6.2.1 Implications for Graduates

6.2.2 Implications for Educational Institutions

 6.3 Contributions of This Study

 6.4 Limitations of This Study and Suggestions for Future Research

Appendices

 Appendix 1

 Appendix 2

 Appendix 3

 Appendix 4

 Appendix 5

 Appendix 6

 Appendix 7

 Appendix 8

 Appendix 9

 Appendix 10

References

Acknowledgements