College English Curriculum RequirementsWith With a a a view view view to to to keeping keeping keeping up up up with with with the the the new new new developments developments developments of of of higher higher higher education education education in in China, deepening teaching reform, improving teaching quality, and meeting the needs of of the the the country country country and and and society society society for for for qualified qualified qualified personnel personnel personnel in in in the the the new new new era, era, era, College College College English English Curriculum Curriculum Requirements Requirements Requirements (Requirements (Requirements (Requirements hereafter) hereafter) hereafter) has has has been been been drawn drawn drawn up up up to to to provide provide colleges colleges and and and universities universities universities with with with the the the guidelines guidelines guidelines for for for English English English instruction instruction instruction to to to non-English non-English major students.Because Because institutions institutions institutions of of of higher higher higher learning learning learning differ differ differ from from from each each each other other other in in in terms terms terms of of teaching teaching resources, resources, resources, students’ students’ students’ level level level of of of English English English upon upon upon entering entering entering college, college, college, and and and the the the social social demands they face, colleges and universities should formulate, in accordance with the Requirements and in the light of their specific circumstances, a scientific, systematic and and individualized individualized individualized College College College English English English syllabus syllabus syllabus to to to guide guide guide their their their own own own College College College English English teaching.I. Character and Objectives of College EnglishCollege English, an integral part of higher learning, is a required basic course for undergraduate students. Under the guidance of theories of foreign language teaching, College College English English English has has has as as as its its its main main main components components components knowledge knowledge knowledge and and and practical practical practical skills skills skills of of of the the English language, learning strategies and intercultural communication. It is a systematic whole, incorporating different teaching models and approaches.The objective of College English is to develop students’ ability to use English in a well-rounded way, especially in listening and speaking, so that in their future studies and careers as well as social interactions they will be able to communicate effectively, and at the same time enhance their ability to study independently and improve their general cultural awareness so as to meet the needs of China’s social development and international exchanges.Ⅱ.Teaching RequirementsAs China is a large country with conditions that vary from region to region and from college to college, the teaching of College English should follow the principle of providing different guidance for different groups of students and instructing them in accordance accordance with with with their their their aptitude aptitude aptitude so so so as as as to to to meet meet meet the the the specific specific specific needs needs needs of of of individualized individualized teaching.The The requirements requirements requirements for for for undergraduate undergraduate undergraduate College College College English English English teaching teaching teaching are are are set set set at at at three three levels, i.e., basic requirements, intermediate requirements, and advanced requirements. Non-English majors are required to attain to one of the three levels of requirements after after studying studying studying and and and practicing practicing practicing English English English at at at school. school. school. The The The basic basic basic requirements requirements requirements are are are the the minimum level that all non-English majors have to reach before graduation. Intermediate Intermediate and and and advanced advanced advanced requirements requirements requirements are are are recommended recommended recommended for for for those those those colleges colleges colleges and and universities universities which which which have have have more more more favorable favorable favorable conditions; conditions; conditions; they they they should should should select select select their their their levels levels according to the school’s status, types and education goals.Institutions Institutions of of of higher higher higher learning learning learning should should should set set set their their their own own own objectives objectives objectives in in in the the the light light light of of their their specific specific specific circumstances, circumstances, circumstances, strive strive strive to to to create create create favorable favorable favorable conditions, conditions, conditions, and and and enable enable enable those those students students who have who have a relatively higher English proficiency proficiency and stronger and stronger capacity capacity for for learning to meet the intermediate or advanced requirements.The three levels of requirements are set as follows:Basic Requirements:1. Listening: Students should be able to follow classroom instructions, everyday conversations, and lectures on general topics conducted in English. They should be be able able able to to to understand understand understand English English English radio radio radio and and and TV TV TV programs programs programs spoken spoken spoken at at at a a a speed speed speed of of about about 130 to 130 to 150 words per minute (wpm)~ grasping the main ideas and key points. points. They They They are are are expected expected expected to to to be be be able able able to to to employ employ employ basic basic basic listening listening listening strategies strategies strategies to to facilitate comprehension.2. Speaking: S tudents should be able to communicate in English in the course of Students should be able to communicate in English in the course of learning, to conduct discussions on a given theme, and to talk about everyday topics topics in in in English. English. English. They They They should should should be be be able able able to to to give, give, give, after after after some some some preparation, preparation, preparation, short short talks on familiar topics with clear articulation and basically correct pronunciation and intonation. They are are expected expected to to be be able able to to use use basic basic conversational strategies in dialogue.3. Reading: Students should generally be able to read English texts on general topics topics at at at a a a speed speed speed of of of 70 70 70 wpm. wpm. wpm. With With With longer longer longer yet yet yet less less less difficult difficult difficult texts, texts, texts, the the the reading reading speed should be 100 wpm. Students should be able to do skimming and scanning. With the help of dictionaries, they should be able to read textbooks in their areas of of specialty, specialty, specialty, and and and newspaper newspaper newspaper and and and magazine magazine magazine articles articles articles on on on familiar familiar familiar topics, topics, topics, grasping grasping the main ideas and understanding major facts and relevant details. They should be be able able able to to to understand understand understand texts texts texts of of of practical practical practical styles styles styles commonly commonly commonly used used used in in work work and and daily daily life. life. life. They They They are are are expected expected expected to to to be be be able able able to to to employ employ employ effective effective effective reading reading reading strategies strategies while reading.4. Writing: Students Students should should should be be be able able able to to to complete complete complete writing writing writing tasks tasks tasks for for for general general purposes, purposes, e.g., e.g., e.g., describing describing describing personal personal personal experiences, experiences, experiences, impressions, impressions, impressions, feelings, feelings, feelings, or or or some some events, and to undertake practical writing. They should be able to write within 30 minutes a short composition of no less than 120 words on a general topic, or an outline. The composition should be basically complete in content, clear in main idea, appropriate in diction and coherent in discourse. Students are expected to be able to have a command of basic writing strategies. 5. Translation: With the help of dictionaries, students should be able to translate essays on familiar topics from English into Chinese and vice versa. The speed of translation translation from from from English English English into into into Chinese Chinese Chinese should should should be be be about about about 300 300 300 English English English words words words per per hour whereas the speed of translation from Chinese into English should be around 250 250 Chinese Chinese Chinese characters characters characters per per per hour. hour. hour. The The The translation translation translation should should should be be be basically basically basically accurate, accurate, free from serious mistakes in comprehension or expression.6. Recommended Vocabulary:S tudents should acquire a total of 4,795 words Students should acquire a total of 4,795 words and 700 phrases (including those that are covered in high school English courses), among among which which which 2,000 2,000 2,000 are are are active active active words. words. words. (See (See (See Appendix Appendix Appendix III: III: III: College College College English English Vocabulary.) Students should not only be able to comprehend the active words but but be be be proficient proficient proficient in in in using using using them them them when when when expressing expressing expressing themselves themselves themselves in in in speaking speaking speaking or or writing.Intermediate Requirements:1. Listening: Students Students should should should generally generally generally be be be able able able to to to follow follow follow talks talks talks and and and lectures lectures lectures in in English, to understand longer English radio and TV programs on familiar topics spoken at a speed of around 150 to 180 wpm, grasping the main ideas, key points and relevant details. They should be able to understand, by and large, courses in their areas of specialty taught in English.2. Speaking: Students should be able to hold conversations in fairly fluent English. They should, by and large, be able to express their personal opinions, feelings and views, views, to to to state state facts facts and and and reasons, reasons, reasons, and and and to to to describe describe describe events events events with with with clear clear clear articulation articulation and basically correct pronunciation and intonation.3. Reading: S tudents should generally be able to read essays on general topics in Students should generally be able to read essays on general topics in popular popular newspapers newspapers newspapers and and and magazines magazines magazines published published published in in in English-speaking English-speaking English-speaking countries countries countries at at at a a speed speed of of of 70 70 70 to to to 90 90 90 wpm. wpm. wpm. With With With longer longer longer texts texts texts for for for fast fast fast reading, reading, reading, the the the reading reading reading speed speed should should be be be 120 120 120 wpm. wpm. wpm. Students Students Students should should should be be be able able able to to to skim skim skim or or or scan scan scan reading reading reading materials. materials. When When reading reading reading summary summary summary literature literature literature in in in their their their areas areas areas of of of specialty, specialty, specialty, students students students should should should be be able able to to to get get get a a a correct correct correct understanding understanding understanding of of of the the the main main main ideas, ideas, ideas, major major major facts facts facts and and and relevant relevant details.4. Writing: Students should be able to express, by and large, personal views on general general topics, topics, topics, compose compose compose English English English abstracts abstracts abstracts for for for theses theses theses in in in their their their own own own specialization, specialization, and and write write write short short short English English English papers papers papers on on on topics topics topics in in in their their their field. field. field. They They They should should should be be be able able able to to describe charts and graphs, and to complete within 30 minutes a short composition of no less than 160 words. The composition should be complete in content, clear in idea, well-organized in presentation and coherent in discourse.5. Translation: W ith the help of dictionaries, students should be able to translate With the help of dictionaries, students should be able to translate on on a a a selective selective selective basis basis basis English English English literature literature literature in in in their their their field, field, field, and and and to to to translate translate translate texts texts texts on on familiar topics in popular newspapers and magazines published in English speaking countries. The speed of translation from English into Chinese should be about 350 English words per hour, whereas the speed of translation from Chinese into into English English English should should should be be be around around around 300 300 300 Chinese Chinese Chinese characters characters characters per per per hour. hour. hour. The The The translation translation should read smoothly, convey the original meaning and be, in the main, free from mistakes in understanding or expression. Students are expected to be able to use appropriate translation techniques.6. Recommended Vocabulary: Students Students should should should acquire acquire acquire a a a total total total of of of 6,395 6,395 6,395 words words and 1,200 phrases (including those that are covered in high school English courses and the Basic Requirements), among which 2,200 are active words (including the active words that have been covered in the Basic Requirements). (See Appendix III: College English V ocabulary.) Advanced Requirements:I. Listening: Students should, by and large, be able to understand radio and TV programs programs produced produced produced in in in English-speaking English-speaking English-speaking countries countries countries and and and grasp grasp grasp the the the gist gist gist and and and key key points. points. They They They should should should be be be able able able to to to follow follow follow talks talks talks by by by people people people from from from English-speaking English-speaking countries countries given given given at at at normal normal normal speed, speed, speed, and and and to to to understand understand understand courses courses courses in in in their their their areas areas areas of of specialty and lectures in English.2. Speaking: Students should be able to conduct dialogues or discussions with a certain certain degree degree degree of of of fluency fluency fluency and and and accuracy accuracy accuracy on on on general general general or or or specialized specialized specialized topics, topics, topics, and and and to to make concise summaries of extended texts or speeches in fairly difficult language. They should be able to deliver papers at academic conferences and participate in discussions.3. Reading: Students should be able to read rather difficult texts, and understand their their main main main ideas ideas ideas and and and details. details. details. They They They should should should be be be able able able to to to read read read English English English articles articles articles in in newspapers and magazines published abroad, and to read English literature related to their areas of specialty without much difficulty.4. Writing: Students should be able to write brief reports and papers in their areas of of specialty, specialty, specialty, to to to express express express their their their opinions opinions opinions freely, freely, freely, and and and to to to write write write within within within 30 30 30 minutes minutes expository expository or or or argumentative argumentative argumentative essays essays essays of of of no no no less less less than than than 200 200 200 words words words on on on a a a given given given topic. topic. The The text text text should should should be be be characterized characterized characterized by by by clear clear clear expression expression expression of of of ideas, ideas, ideas, rich rich rich content, content, content, neat neat structure, and good logic.5. Translation: With the help of dictionaries, students should be able to translate into into Chinese Chinese Chinese fairly fairly fairly difficult difficult difficult English English English texts texts texts in in in literature literature literature related related related to to to their their their areas areas areas of of specialty and in newspapers and magazines published in English-speaking countries; they should also be able to translate Chinese introductory texts on the conditions of China or Chinese culture into English. The speed of translation from English into Chinese Chinese should should should be be be about about about 400 400 400 English English English words words words per per per hour hour whereas whereas the the the speed speed speed of of translation from Chinese into English should be around 350 Chinese characters per hour. The translation should convey the idea with accuracy and smoothness and be basically free from misinterpretation, omission and mistakes in expression.6. Recommended Vocabulary: Students should acquire a total of 7,675 words and 1,870 phrases (including those that are covered in high school English courses, the Basic Requirements and Intermediate Requirements), among which 2,360 are active words (including the active words that have been covered in the Basic Requirements and Intermediate Requirements). (See Appendix III: College English V ocabulary.)The The above-mentioned above-mentioned three three requirements requirements serve serve as as as reference reference reference standards standards standards for for colleges and universities in preparing their own College English teaching documents. They They could, could, could, in in in the light the light of their respective c ircumstances, make due adjustments circumstances, make due adjustments to the the specific specific specific requirements requirements requirements for for for listening, listening, listening, speaking, speaking, speaking, reading, reading, reading, writing writing writing and and and translation translation translation at at the three levels. In doing so they should place more emphasis on the cultivation and training of listening and speaking abilities.III. Course DesignTaking into account account the the the school’s school’s circumstances, colleges colleges and and and universities universities should should follow follow follow the the the guidelines guidelines guidelines of of of the the the Requirements Requirements Requirements and and and the the the goals goals goals of of of their their their College College English teaching in designing their College English course systems. A course system, which which is is is a a a combination combination combination of of of required required required and and and elective elective elective courses courses courses in in in comprehensive comprehensive comprehensive English, English, language language skills, skills, skills, English English English for for for practical practical practical uses, uses, uses, language language language and and and culture, culture, culture, and and and English English English of of specialty, should ensure that students at different levels receive adequate training and make improvement in their ability to use English.In designing College English courses, requirements for cultivating competence in in listening listening listening and and and speaking speaking speaking should should should be be be fully fully fully considered, considered, considered, and and and corresponding corresponding corresponding teaching teaching hours hours and and and credits credits credits should should should be be be adequately adequately adequately allocated. allocated. allocated. Moreover, Moreover, Moreover, the the the extensive extensive extensive use use use of of advanced advanced information information information technology technology technology should should should be be be encouraged, encouraged, encouraged, computer- computer- computer- and and and Web-based Web-based courses should be developed, and students should be provided with favorable environment and facilities for language learning.College College English English English is is is not not not only only only a a a language language language course course course that that that provides provides provides basic basic basic knowledge knowledge about English, but also a capacity enhancement course that helps students to broaden their horizons and learn about different cultures in the world. It not only serves as a tool, tool, but but but also also also has has has humanistic humanistic humanistic values. values. values. When When When designing designing designing College College College English English English courses, courses, therefore, it is necessary to take into full consideration the development of students’ cultural capacity and the teaching of knowledge about different cultures in the world.All All the the the courses, courses, courses, whether whether whether computer-based computer-based computer-based or or or classroom-based, classroom-based, classroom-based, should should should be be be fully fully individual-oriented, taking into account students with different starting points, so that students who start from lower levels will be well taken care of while students whose English English is is is better better better will will will find find find room room room for for for further further further development. development. development. College College College English English English course course design should help students to have a solid foundation in the English language while developing their ability to use English, especially their ability to listen and speak in English. English. It It It should should should ensure ensure ensure that that that students students students make make make steady steady steady progress progress progress in in in English English English proficiency proficiency throughout their undergraduate studies, and it should encourage students’ individualized individualized learning learning learning so so so as as as to to to meet meet meet the the the needs needs needs of of of their their their development development development in in in different different specialties.IV. Teaching Model In view of the marked increase in student enrolments and the relatively limited resources, resources, colleges colleges colleges and and and universities universities universities should should should remold remold remold the the the existing existing existing unitary unitary unitary teacher- teacher- centered pattern of language teaching by introducing computer- and classroom- based teaching models. The new model should be built on modern information technology, particularly network technology, so that English language teaching and learning will be, to a certain extent, free from the constraints of time or place and geared towards students’ students’ individualized individualized individualized and and and autonomous autonomous autonomous learning. learning. learning. The The The new new new model model model should should should combine combine the principles of practicality, knowledge and interest, facilitate mobilizing the initiative of both teachers and students, and attach particular importance to the central position position of of of students students students and and and the the the leading leading leading role role role of of of teachers teachers teachers in in in the the the teaching teaching teaching and and and learning learning process. This model should incorporate into it the strengths of the current model and give play to the advantages of traditional classroom teaching while fully employing modern information technology.Colleges Colleges and and and universities universities universities should should should explore explore explore and and and establish establish establish a a a Web-based Web-based Web-based listening listening and and speaking speaking speaking teaching teaching teaching model model model that that that suits suits suits their their their own own own needs needs needs in in in line line line with with with their their their own own conditions conditions and and and students’ students’ students’ English English English proficiency, proficiency, and and deliver deliver deliver listening listening listening and and and speaking speaking courses courses via via via the the the intranet intranet intranet or or or campus campus campus network. network. network. The The The teaching teaching teaching of of of reading, reading, reading, writing writing writing and and translation translation can can can be be be conducted conducted conducted either either either in in in the the the classroom classroom classroom or or or online. online. online. With With With regard regard regard to to computer- and Web-based courses, face-to-face coaching should be provided in order to guarantee the effects of learning.The network-based teaching system developed in an attempt to implement the new teaching model should cover the complete process of teaching, learning, feedback and management, including such modules as students’ learning and self-assessment, t e achers’ lectures, and online coaching, as well as the monitoring and eachers’ lectures, and online coaching, as well as the monitoring and management management of of of learning learning learning and and and coaching. coaching. coaching. It It It should should should be be be able able able to to to track track track down, down, down, record record record and and check the progress o f learning in of learning in a ddition addition addition to to teaching and coaching, and attain t o to to a a high level of interactivity, multimedia use and operability. Colleges and universities should adopt good teaching software and encourage teachers to make effective use of Web multimedia and other teaching resources.One One of of of the the the objectives objectives objectives of of of the the the reform reform reform of of of the the the teaching teaching teaching model model model is is is to to to promote promote promote the the development of individualized study methods and the autonomous learning ability on the the part part part of of of students. students. students. The The The new new new model model model should should should enable enable enable students students students to to to select select select materials materials materials and and methods suited to their individual needs, Obtain guidance in learning strategies, and gradually improve their autonomous learning ability.Changes Changes in in in the the the teaching teaching teaching model model model by by by no no no means means means call call call for for for changes changes changes in in in teaching teaching methods and approaches only, but, more importantly, consist of changes in teaching philosophy philosophy and and and practice, practice, practice, and and and in in in a a a shift shift shift from from from a a a teacher-centered teacher-centered teacher-centered pattern, pattern, pattern, in in in which which knowledge of the language and skills are imparted by the teacher in class only, to a student-centered student-centered pattern, pattern, pattern, in in in which which which the the the ability ability ability to to to use use use the the the language language language and and and the the the ability ability ability to to learn independently are cultivated in addition to language knowledge and skills, and also also to to to lifelong lifelong lifelong education, education, education, geared geared geared towards towards towards cultivating cultivating cultivating students’ students’ students’ lifelong lifelong lifelong learning learning ability.For the implementation of the new model, refer to Appendix 1: Computer- and Classroom-Based College English Teaching Model.Ⅴ. EvaluationEvaluation Evaluation is is is a key component in a key component in College English teaching. A comprehensive, objective, objective, scientific scientific scientific and and and accurate accurate accurate evaluation evaluation evaluation system system system is is is of of of vital vital vital importance importance importance to to to the the achievement of course goals. It not only helps teachers obtain feedback, improve the administration of teaching, and ensure teaching quality but also provides students with an an effective effective effective means means means to to to adjust adjust adjust their their their learning learning learning strategies strategies strategies and and and methods, methods, methods, improve improve improve their their learning efficiency and achieve the desired learning effects.The The evaluation evaluation evaluation of of of students’ students’ students’ learning learning learning consists consists consists of of of formative formative formative assessment assessment assessment and and summative assessmentFormative assessment refers to procedural and developmental assessment conducted conducted in in in the the the teaching teaching teaching process, process, process, i.e., i.e., i.e., tracking tracking tracking the the the teaching teaching teaching process, process, process, providing providing feedback and promoting an all-round development of the students, in accordance with the teaching objectives and by means of various evaluative methods. It facilitates the effective monitoring of students’ autonomous learning, and is particularly impor tant in in implementing implementing implementing the the the computer- computer- computer- and and and classroom-based classroom-based classroom-based teaching teaching teaching model. model. model. It It It includes includes 。
