A Study Of College English Teaching Development

This thesis attempts to conduct a study of College English curriculum revisions in China and their significance on College English teaching development. This study begins with a discussion about the definition of curriculum and that of syllabus and then a brief review of the implementation of curriculum theories in EFL (English as foreign language). Based on EFL curriculum theories, the thesis tries to provide a detailed study of College English curriculum development in China, from College English Teaching Syllabus (Draft) 1980 (simplified as Syllabus (Draft) 1980 thereafter), College English Teaching Syllabus (for natural sciences) 1985 & College English Teaching Syllabus (for liberal sciences) 1986 (simplified as Syllabuses 1985/1986 thereafter), College English Teaching Syllabus (revised edition) 1999 (simplified as Syllabus 1999 thereafter) to College English Curriculum Requirements 2004 (For Trial Implementation)(simplified as Requirements 2004 thereafter).In order to explore the current situations of College English teaching in China, the thesis conducts a survey at Soochow University on teachers'attitudes towards College English teaching and its curriculum. The results of the questionnaire testify that the continuous curriculum revisions are successful in general and they have exerted active influence on College English teachers, who have absorbed the essence of each revised College English curriculum and undertaken experiments in various forms.Based on retrospective analyses and a case study, the following trends of College English teaching are obvious: (1) teaching objectives have developed from the teaching of learners'language analysis ability to the improvement of competence; (2) modern foreign language teaching theories have continuously been applied in teaching and research; (3) autonomy in administration, teaching and learning has been enhanced and (4) sociocultural competence has gradually been improved.College English teaching is currently undergoing a period of rapid change. The changing social environments and developing economy are gearing College English towards a more fragmented and flexible market-orientation, which aims to provide an optimized framework for teachers to make professional judgments and conduct organized teaching and also a better support for learners to learn efficiently and effectively in given situations. Since scientific College English teaching curriculum is a prerequisite for efficient teaching and reform, this thesis finally proposes that more importance should be attached to"Eclecticism", integration of various teaching materials and approaches in EFL teaching, and more autonomy given to teachers and universities to fully display their initiatives and creativeness.