Reflection And Establishment Of The Educational Policy On College Foreign Languages

This thesis is a study of educational policy on college foreign languages with a multidisciplinary perspective of policy, education and linguistics. Dimensions of value-analysis, content-analysis and process-analysis in policy analysis work as the analysis framework of policies on college foreign languages education as well as a clue linking all parts of this writing, from the review of Chinese college foreign languages education, to the absorption of policies on language or foreign languages education in other countries, and to the establishment of educational policy on college foreign languages in China. Tacit methods like Literature Analysis and Historical Investigation in analysis of "actualized" educational policy on college foreign languages, and Comparison and Generalization in the construction of "theorized" policy system in college foreign languages education are adopted to make suggestions for future teaching reforms.Educational policy on college foreign languages in China is under great influence of the political, economic and cultural environments. Value orientation attaches great importance on social values and less on personal worth. The development of education policies on college foreign languages in China is studied from the perspective of value-analysis in college foreign languages educational policies, content-analysis and process-analysis in policy-producing to find out the shortcomings of policy-decision in reality and the misuses in practice. Three published editions of College English Curriculum and the newly published College English Curriculum Requirement are investigated by way of content-analysis. Production and implementation of policy during the "ten-year college English reform" are analyzed by way of process-analysis to reveal the contradictions and conflicts in the formulation and implementation of educational policies on college foreign languages. Other factors such as single subject in policy-making, tool oriented objectives, divergence of policies in implementation, marginalization of policy objects, and appraisal system are also probed to find out their advantages and disadvantages.Educational policies on foreign languages in other countries are compared and analyzed to find out their similarities in value orientation and disparities in distinctive characteristics. Shining examples in educational policies on foreign languages in United States, Britain, Netherlands, Singapore and Australia are emphasized and generalized for enlightenment. For example, establishment of language educational policy by way of legislation, democratic procedure of policy-making, mechanism of policy decision and implementation, multilingual choice, full use of teaching resources, starting age and key stage of foreign language learning and their college foreign languages education.The thesis focuses on the establishment of educational policy on college foreign languages in China. Social "Three-meta Structure" theory is adopted to construe the social position of education, with foreign language education and its value choice as foci. The unification of value orientation in social need, foreign languages teaching, and learners is a guarantee to realize education value of foreign languages. What is more, the measures to localize, scientificate and democratize educational policy on foreign languages are advocated, the body of decision-making, the model of policy-making, policy-implementation and policy-evaluation are proposed. Suggestions for hot issues such as teaching model of ESP as the future of College English, necessity to improve some provisions in College English Curriculum Requirement, especially those on policy objectives, compulsory system, teaching curriculum of English course, modification of English Test Band Four and Six, establishment of an academic authority of foreign languages educational advisory committee to plan foreign languages education in China, and thorough investigations and democratic decision-making methods to meet the demands of society as well as learners in future teaching reform are also given as follows.College foreign languages education is part of higher education in terms of its purpose to cultivate individuals into qualified workers of specific professional knowledge along with foreign language communicative competence. Criterion of policy making shouldered on the value objectives of all-round individual development. Based on this criterion, rational configuration of foreign language education resources, emphasis on individual diversity, and smart patterns for college foreign language education should be the attentions of educational policy on college foreign languages for its high aim to ensure the harmonious development on both the society and individuals sides.