From March 13th to 16th, the 14th National Forum for Deans/Heads of College English Department was held in Guangzhou in Guangdong Province. The forum was co-organized by the National Foreign Language Teaching Advisory Board for Higher Education, Shanghai International Studies University, and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, and sponsored by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. The event attracted participants from the education institutions across the country. Under the theme "Communicating Chinese Culture, Leading the Future," it focused on the development of high-quality college English teaching in the digital era. Dean Liu Qin, together with four other faculty members, attended the forum to highlight our college's explorations and achievements in public English teaching, and the importance of foreign language education in cultivating talent in science and engineering.
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speeches: The Key Role of Foreign Language Education in National Strategy
The opening ceremony was presided over by Ding Yi, President of Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. In her speech, Yin Dongmei, Party Secretary of Shanghai International Studies University, emphasized the importance of foreign language education in national development strategy, calling for joint efforts from the education institutions to promote innovation and reform. Shi Youqi, Party Secretary of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, pointed out that foreign language education was in a process of transformation, and therefore, the forum holds significant practical meaning for promoting the reform of college English education. Liu Jianda, Vice Chairman of the National Foreign Language Teaching Advisory Board for Higher Education, delivered a speech on behalf of its Chairman, He Lianzhen. Professor Zhao Qinping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, discussed the profound impact of new technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence on education, emphasizing that educators should actively embrace new technologies to drive innovation in language teaching. Professor Hu Kaibao from Shanghai International Studies University introduced the background in editing “China and the World: Progressive College English” and its innovative approaches, aiming at cultivating students' ability to spread Chinese narratives in English.
Liu Qin Presides Over Parallel Forum
Liu Qin, as a member of the National Foreign Language Teaching Advisory Board for Higher Education, served as the moderator in the parallel forum titled "High-Quality Teaching Materials Supporting the Construction of High-Quality College English Courses." In recent years, Liu Qin has led teachers from the college English department in compiling several influential college English textbooks. She engaged in in-depth discussions with presenting experts on the core role of high-quality teaching materials in curriculum construction, emphasizing their direct impact on teaching effectiveness, which won high praise from the attendees.
Zhang Le Shares Insights on Digital-Empowered English Teaching
Zhang Le delivered an academic report titled "The Application of the 'We Test' Intelligent Assessment Platform in College English Teaching" at a parallel forum. He detailed the platform's explorations and achievements in digitally empowering English teaching and assessment. The digital reform of college English at USST has enhanced the effectiveness of college English teaching, providing a solid guarantee for improving the English proficiency of science and engineering students. The intelligent assessment platform not only helps teachers accurately assess students' English proficiency but also provides strong support for individualized teaching.
Summary and Outlook: New Opportunities for Digital Transformation in Foreign Language Education
Through thematic reports and in-depth parallel forums, this forum fully demonstrated new ideas and practices in the digital transformation of foreign language education. Attendees unanimously agreed that the rapid development of digital technology presents unprecedented opportunities for foreign language teaching, while also posing new challenges. In the future, the educators need to continue exploring the deep integration of digital technology and foreign language education to promote its high-quality development.
Group Photo
Dean Liu Presiding over the Parallel Forum
Zhang Le Delivering an Academic Report
The Faculty Members from USST
