On March 22-23, the Ninth National High-Level Forum on Foreign Language Education Reform and Development in Higher Education was held in Beijing. This forum was jointly organized by Beijing Foreign Studies University, the National Advisory Committee for Foreign Language and Literature Education in Higher Education, the National Advisory Committee for College Foreign Language Education, and the Foreign Language Teaching Research Association of the China Association of Higher Education. Centered on the theme of “Pooling Strengths for Innovation and Global Excellence”, It brought together leaders from the Ministry of Education, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, state-owned enterprises, and the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office, as well as over 2,200 experts and scholars in the field of foreign language education in higher education. Present at the event were Dean Liu Qin from our college together with other faculty members.
This high-level forum was a significant educational event that analyzed the current situation of foreign language education in higher education and provided insights into the direction of foreign language education reform. During the keynote speeches, the leaders and experts from various fields outlined the path for advancing foreign language education in higher education to support China’s development. The advisory committee forums provided guidance on innovation in college foreign language education, English language programs, and multilingual programs, promoting the cultivation of top-notch foreign language talents. Specialized forums included a "University Presidents' Forum," which explored the construction of a self-reliant and excellent foreign language education system in higher education, and a "Frontier Forum," which discussed new AI-enabled methods for foreign language teaching. Multiple thematic forums also facilitated the exchange of innovative ideas and practices in foreign language education reform and talent development, pooling collective wisdom for the development in foreign language education.
As a member of the National Advisory Committee for College Foreign Language Education, Dean Liu was invited to attend the forum and served as the moderator in the parallel forum on "College English Curriculum Development Serving National Strategies." In recent years, Liu Qin has led teachers from the Public English Teaching and Research Center in exploring new approaches to the college English curriculum and has published several influential college English textbooks. During the forum, she engaged in in-depth discussions with experts on topics such as digital and intelligent empowerment and the integration of college English education with the university's leading disciplines, earning high praise from the attendees.
This forum, by its three main sessions which are keynote speeches, advisory committee forums, and thematic forums, showcased innovative concepts and practical achievements in foreign language education during the critical period which covered the transition from the 14th Five-Year Plan to the 15th Five-Year Plan. Focusing on the strategic goal of building a strong educational system, the forum was committed to advancing reform and innovation in foreign language education in higher education, constructing a globally leading foreign language education system, and supporting the cultivation of foreign language talent urgently needed for national strategies in the new era. The faculty members from our college actively participated in the forum discussions, demonstrating the college's explorations and practices in foreign language education reform and highlighting its important role in cultivating innovative foreign language talent.
Liu Qin Presided over the Parallel Session
Faculty Members from the College of Foreign Languages
