The English-major Reform Central Group of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the Open University of China (OUC) held a work meeting in Kunming on 3 and 4 December 2020, aiming to implement the OUC Comprehensive Reform Plan and promote English-major teaching reforms.

Zheng Jipeng, vice dean of the OUC Faculty of Foreign Languages; Chang Hongmei, vice president of Beijing Open University; Professor Kong Lingcui, dean of the School of Foreign Languages, Sichuan Normal University; teachers in the OUC Faculty of Foreign Languages, and heads of English majors from 23 OUC branches, attended.

The meeting included lectures by experts, a report on transformations of the English major, and discussions of the work plan. Zheng Jipeng said that the current design of English-major courses is no longer able to meet the increasingly diverse needs of professional development in relation to current social and economic conditions, making reform of this major essential. It includes the English syllabi of colleges and universities, the national teaching-quality standards in foreign languages and literature, and the results of teaching and research. He also analysed and summarised some problems to be solved in reform of the major.

Chang Hongmei introduced the teaching reforms and practices of foreign-language majors in higher vocational education in China, and described in detail its development, types and features, as well as China’s national standards for it.
Kong Lingcui made suggestions on the construction of English majors, personnel training, and the construction of specialized-English majors and teaching materials at open universities.

Teachers in the College of English of the Faculty of Foreign Languages reported on the philosophy of course reform in the English major, as well as teaching practices and graduation theses. Detailed reports were given on curriculum reform, and adjustments to the Business English and learner-development curricula.

The participants also discussed problems encountered in reforming the English major, establishing curriculum modules, constructing curriculum resources, and so on, while offering feedback and suggestions. The hope is that reform of the English major will continue to strengthen throughout the OUC system, so that the major will take on its own distinct characteristics, and help with comprehensive reform of the OUC.

Written by Hu Lanxi, photo by Zhang Yi, OUC