ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Program Introduction

The English major is a discipline that studies the English language, literature, translation, and cross-cultural communication. With globalization, English has become an essential tool for international communication, business, technology, education, and cultural exchange. This program aims to develop students' English proficiency while helping them gain in-depth knowledge of British and American culture, literature, grammar, phonetics, linguistic theories, and translation and interpreting skills.

The English major not only focuses on language learning but also covers international communication, cross-cultural exchange, language teaching, business English, media, and international affairs. The knowledge and skills acquired in this program provide students with a strong foundation for career development in a multicultural environment.

Training Objectives

The English major aims to cultivate professionals with knowledge of the political, economic, linguistic, historical, and cultural backgrounds of major English-speaking countries such as the UK and the US. Graduates will possess strong humanities and social sciences literacy, solid expertise, proficient translation and interpretation skills, broad international vision, and cross-cultural communication abilities. They will be prepared for careers in trade, technology, foreign affairs, international exchanges, and other fields, engaging in translation, interpretation, academic research, teaching, and management. After four years of study, graduates should be able to:

1. Master fundamental knowledge of English linguistics and literature.

2. Apply professional English knowledge to identify, analyze, and solve problems, demonstrating creative thinking and research abilities.

3. Communicate proficiently in spoken and written English with people from different cultural backgrounds.

4. Understand China’s policies and regulations related to diplomacy, foreign affairs, education, trade, and cultural exchanges.

5. Possess core socialist values, high moral standards, strong legal awareness, and a commitment to integrity. They should also have a broad cultural perspective, strong modern consciousness, cross-cultural communication awareness, and a solid foundation in scientific thinking and research methods. Graduates should demonstrate innovation, professional awareness, and critical thinking skills while maintaining good mental and physical well-being.

Graduation Requirements

Graduates of this program must meet the following requirements:

Knowledge Requirements

1. Systematically master English language knowledge, including phonetics, vocabulary, grammar, and discourse analysis.

2. Be familiar with major English literary figures and works.

3. Understand the historical and contemporary political, economic, cultural, technological, and military contexts of English-speaking countries.

4. Grasp the fundamental theories and methodologies of linguistics and English literature.

Skills Requirements

5. Demonstrate comprehensive English language proficiency, literary appreciation skills, and cross-cultural communication competence.

6. Have proficiency in a second foreign language.

7. Possess modern information technology skills and the ability to acquire and update professional knowledge.

8. Apply professional knowledge in critical thinking, innovation, and scientific research.

Competency Requirements

9. Understand Marxist principles, China’s history, and legal regulations, uphold the correct worldview and values, and possess a strong sense of social responsibility, national pride, and international vision.

10. Maintain good physical and mental health and well-rounded personal development. Be knowledgeable in general sports education and meet national physical fitness standards for college students.

11. Develop humanities and scientific literacy, innovation, and teamwork spirit.

12. Have an understanding of Xinjiang’s regional development, history, and minority languages.

Graduates must complete at least 180 credits, including 141.5 compulsory credits and 38.5 elective credits.

Core Courses

• Basic English

• Listening

• Speaking

• Reading

• Writing

• Translation

• Phonetics

• Advanced English

• Introduction to English-Speaking Countries

• British Literature

• American Literature

• Introduction to Linguistics

• Second Foreign Language

• Uyghur Language

Research Directions

The English undergraduate program offers diverse research directions, covering both traditional academic fields such as linguistics, translation, and literature, as well as applied areas like business, technology, and media. Students can choose their specialization based on their interests and career goals:

• TESOL & English Education: Suitable for students aiming to become English teachers.

• Translation & Interpreting: Ideal for those pursuing a career in translation and interpretation.

• English & American Literature and Cultural Studies: Recommended for those interested in literature and cultural analysis.

• Business English & Cross-Cultural Communication: Best for students seeking careers in multinational corporations or international organizations.

• Corpus Linguistics & AI Language Processing: Suitable for students interested in the intersection of technology and language.

Regardless of the chosen research direction, English majors will gain broad career opportunities and the ability to thrive in an international professional environment.

Degree Awarded

• Standard Duration: 4 years, with a flexible study period of 3-6 years.

• Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Career Development

Graduates of the English major have strong language skills, cross-cultural communication abilities, and analytical thinking, making them competitive in the global job market. Career paths include:

• Education & Language Teaching

• Translation & Interpreting

• Media & Journalism

• Diplomacy & International Organizations

• Finance & Law

• Tourism & Hospitality Management

• Artificial Intelligence & Language Technology

• Entrepreneurship & Freelancing

Graduates have a wide range of employment opportunities in education, translation, business, media, diplomacy, and technology. Their strong English skills also give them an advantage in foreign enterprises, international organizations, and cross-border industries. By continuously improving their expertise, practical experience, and cross-cultural competencies, English graduates can secure promising careers in the globalized job market.

Related Majors

The English major is closely related to various disciplines, including:

• Linguistics

• Applied Linguistics

• Translation Studies

• Computational Linguistics

• TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

• Foreign Language Education

• Education

• Bilingual Education

• English & American Literature

• International Communication

• International Relations

• International Law

Top Universities Offering English Programs in China

• Beijing Foreign Studies University

• Nanjing University

• Shanghai International Studies University

• Peking University

• Tsinghua University

• Fudan University

• Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Zhejiang University

• Beijing Normal University

• Hunan Normal University

• Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

• Shandong University

• Central China Normal University

• Nankai University

• Beihang University

This program equips students with comprehensive knowledge and skills, enabling them to work in a wide range of industries both domestically and internationally.