A Critical Review of China’s Foreign Language Program Development: The Perspective of Language Needs

• Tongxi, Gong ^[1] ; Yi, Guo ^[1]
  1. [1] Shanghai International Studies University

     Shanghai International Studies University

     China

     
• Localización: Círculo de lingüística aplicada a la comunicación, ISSN-e 1576-4737, Nº. 79, 2019 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Multilingual Research in the Chinese Context), págs. 21-44
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • 中国高校外语专业大发展的冷思考: 基于外语需求的分析视角
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • English

    Recent years (2014–2017) have seen an explosive growth in foreign language undergraduate programs in Chinese universities, apparently in response to China’s development needs. However, without a precise analysis of China’s foreign language needs, it is impossible to evaluate whether the recent developments in foreign language education will be able to meet the nation’s development needs. This article addresses this issue by calculating China’s foreign language needs through a holistic assessment with 14 indicators. The calculation, mainly based on the practical use of foreign languages and China’s international exchange requirements, identifies the top 10 foreign languages urgently needed by the country and demonstrates the different functions of these foreign languages. In light of China’s national foreign language needs, this article ends with a critical review of foreign language program development in recent years.

  • 中文

    2014年以来，为满足国家发展需要，中国高校外语本科专业蓬勃发展。但是，中国到底优先需要哪些外语，尚未得到有效分析。本文从外语的使用价值和中国事务需求两个方面出发，利用14项具体指标，对中国国家外语需求进行测算，确定中国当前需求较大的10种外语，分析不同外语在不同领域的特殊功能。在此基础上，本文对近年来中国高校外语专业的发展状况进行了批判性分析。