Based on the background of new liberal arts, the School of Foreign Studies held the Forums on Foreign Language Talent Cultivation and Discipline Construction (the first stage) during November 19th and 20th. They are the Second Forum on Application and Construction of First-class Foreign Language Courses, the Second Forum on Construction and Evaluation of First-class Foreign Language Majors, the Forum on Exploration of Digital Intelligence Humanities, Language Services and Global Governance, and the Forum on Exploration of Emergency Language Services and International Talent Cultivation. The forums are aimed at further promoting the construction of first-class courses, first-class majors and language service disciplines, and improving the foreign language talent cultivation and discipline construction.
Twenty-five experts from prestigious universities in and outside China delivered keynote speeches in forum meetings via video links. Nearly 1,000 teachers and students from over 60 universities and research institutes attended these meetings.
The Second Forum on the Application and Construction of First-class Foreign Language Courses
Seven experts conducted the specialized and in-depth discussion on the academic development and path of first-class foreign language courses. Wang Mingyu, Professor from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, elaborated the promotion of “new liberal arts” concept in accordance with the “Four New Disciplines”. Ye Gaoxiang, Professor from Zhejiang University, underlined the role of discipline building in improving the quality of talent training. Liu Kedong, Professor from Harbin Institute of Technology, emphasized that the curriculum design should focus on developing students’ higher-order thinking. Liu Zhengguang, Professor from Hunan University, pointed out ways to combine the foreign language textbooks with students’ patriotism, critical thinking skill and language skill. Su Weihuang, Associate Professor from Huaqiao University, shared his approach and experience in building National First-class Course of College English. Chen Chunhua, Professor from Information Engineering University, introduced the concept and innovation of the audio-visual courses for English majors. Li Xiaoxiang, Professor from Southeast University, noted that the design and development of English textbooks should meet both the national strategic needs and the requirements for education in digital era.
The Second Forum on Construction and Evaluation of First-class Foreign Language Majors
Prof. Wang Jinquan from Yangzhou University, Prof. Yang Lianrui from Ocean University of China, Prof. Liu Baiyu from Yantai Institute of Technology, Prof. Zhang Wei from Beijing Foreign Studies University, Prof. Wang Xin from Sichuan University and Prof. Liu Yumei from Sichuan International Studies University were present at the Second Forum on Construction and Evaluation of First-class Foreign Language Majors. The six experts paid attention to the coordinated development of disciplines, majors and the professional practice teaching system in the construction of first-class foreign language majors, the construction of first-class foreign language majors with the context of interdisciplinarity, the innovative talent cultivation mode for undergraduates in translation major, the development of top-notch talents in foreign languages and the foreign language talent cultivation system under the background of new liberal arts. And they put forward new ideas, new philosophies and new plans to further promote the construction of national first-class undergraduate majors in foreign languages and comprehensively improve foreign language talent cultivation.
The Forum on Exploration of Digital Intelligence Humanities, Language Services and Global Governance
Language services can play a better role in global governance by promoting the deep integration of language with information technologies such as AI, big data and cloud computing. In the Forum on Exploration of Digital Intelligence Humanities, Language Services and Global Governance, Professor Hu Kaibao from Shanghai International Studies University demonstrated the methods and progress of emergency language service platforms and emergency corpus construction. Huang Lihe, doctoral supervisor from Tongji University, focused on the language communication and clinical practice in medical treatment and care for the elderly. Professor Yuan Zhoumin from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications called for fostering the strategic research of emergency language and developing the ability of political plain language. Cui Qiliang, associate professor from University of International Business and Economics, elaborated on the post translation editing model, the CAT & MT & PE integrated translation model and the organization and standardization of translation technology. Professor Xu Jun from China University of Political Science and Law pointed out that language service research, interdisciplinary talent cultivation and discipline construction should pay attention to content-based and characteristic development.
The Forum on Exploration of Emergency Language Service and International Talent Training
During this Forum, seven experts had a discussion on National Emergency Language Services and cultivation of international communication talents. Professor Feng Dezheng of Hong Kong Polytechnic University elaborated on the integrating orientation of strategic communication and its discourse analysis as well as its impression management framework. Professor Sun Jisheng of China Foreign Affairs University called for the cultivation of interdisciplinary and comprehensive talents who can present compelling China stories in foreign languages. Professor Luo Lianggong of Central China Normal University focuses on the curriculum design and implementation in the cultivation of international communication ability in foreign language majors. Professor Li Jiangang of Shandong University emphasized the cultural elements behind texts through curriculum of “Translation plus Writing” model. Professor Liu Hongyan of Beijing Foreign Studies University focused on the study of language services for the elderly with cognitive impairment. Professor Chen Xiaowei of Fuzhou University explained with typical cases the translation of urban ‘language landscape” and the construction of international communication awareness. Professor Jin Shan of Hainan University focuses on language service policy planning, standards making and system construction.
This series of forums are high-level ones to discuss and plan the development of foreign language discipline in the context of new liberal arts in the new era, which has a leading role in improving the cultivation mode of foreign language talents, enhancing the core literacy of these talents and consolidating discipline construction.
