A forum on foreign language education, hosted by the School of English and International Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP), was held via video link on July 12.

The event brought together seven renowned domestic scholars to discuss the frontiers of foreign language education theories and practice. It was followed by nearly 5,000 online viewers.

A high-level forum on foreign language education, hosted by the School of English and International Studies at BFSU and the FLTRP, is held via video link on July 12. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Sun Youzhong, member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, keynoted the forum, saying that great achievements and fruitful results have been achieved in China's foreign language education. The release of national English curriculum standards and guidelines at all levels marks a step forward. Sun spoke highly of the role the forum plays, adding that he hopes scholars get inspired through this event.

Zhang Jian, dean of the School of English and International Studies at BFSU, said as a national key educational institution teaching English Language and Literature, the school takes the research on foreign language education theories and practice as its important mission. It has constantly made innovations in curriculum concepts and teaching methods, aiming to become a model in China’s English education. Zhang said he hopes the forum will enlighten foreign language educators around the world.

The forum integrated theoretical and practical research results in foreign language education, said Chang Xiaoling, deputy editor-in-chief of the FLTRP. It dealt with problems faced by the sector from different perspectives, and provided a communication platform for front-line teachers and researchers in the country.  

The forum also included a keynote speech session where professors from universities in China and foreign countries gave lectures on a wide range of topics, such as enlightenment of dynamic complex system theory to foreign language education and its application, sociocultural theory’s development direction as a theory in second language education, and the continuation theory that improves the quality and efficiency of foreign language teaching.

Focusing on foreign language education at home and abroad, at advanced and basic levels, and from theoretical and practical perspectives, the forum helps form new understanding and thinking, and boosts the innovative development and cutting-edge research in the field.