The transformation of College English in China

Abstract

The key factors that pushed College English in China to the stage of transformation are: globalization, student challenges, expansion of enrolment and primary and high school coordination challenge. The theoretical frameworks should cover the concepts of communicative competence, the learning-centered approach and learner autonomy. It then describes the major areas affected by the transformation to a new CE, in which the primary objective is to develop students’ English comprehension and communicative competence: the nature and goal of the curriculum, curriculum requirements, teaching mode, assessment, and administration, In the new CE, focus has shifted from reading to listening and speaking, and special attention is now given to independent learning by capitalizing on advanced information technology; five principles are understood as the underpinnings of the transformation: a shift in orientation towards competence, the dominance of learning, focus on process, emphasis on culture, and increasingly democratic learning.