The Study Of Countermeasures On How The Higher Vocational English Education Serves The Regional Economy

Under the background of economic globalization*the relationship between regional economy and English teaching in vocational colleges are becoming more and more close. The higher vocational English education is one part of higher education that aim to server regional economy and duck to the regional leading industry. It plays an important part role in the development of regional economy, for it has the most direct and close links with economic development among all the English teaching forms. Therefore, the higher English vocational education must serve the regional economy, providing the regional economy with the required intelligence and talents. In order to promote the development of regional economy and English teaching itself, the English teaching in vocational colleges should be in keeping with the pace of regional economy to train applied talents, according to the different needs of English in different positions.In recent years, the economy of Hengyang develops rapidly, especially the export-oriented economy. Economic development decides the language demand. The rapid development of Hengyang economy calls for higher foreign language skills. The enterprises are in urgent need of advanced practical English talents who not only has the specialized theory knowledge but also can communicate with others in English fluently. However, the practical principle in English teaching of vocational colleges is limited to practice speaking and listening in class, rather than the "practical" in the students’future career and position. The lecturers in vocational colleges teach the same content, no matter what majors the students are. The English education in vocational college can’t keep up with the needs of occupation, such as the teaching aims, curriculum, teaching model, professional faculty and so on.Based on the background, the paper starts from the necessity that English teaching must serve the regional economy, then state the characteristics of the development of Hengyang economy, specially the export-oriented economy. According to the characteristics, we conduct two investigations and surveys:one with different enterprises about what kinds of English ability that the vocational college graduates should have; the other with vocational colleges in Hengyang about what problems existing in Higher Vocational English Teaching. Next, we try to explore a reform path to promote the English teaching mode, method, practical training, making English class more practical and helpful to the students’employment. Meanwhile, regional economy and English teaching in vocational colleges can enjoy mutual promotion and harmonious development. The thesis includes four parts. In part one, discuss the mutual promotion relationship between regional economy and English teaching in vocational colleges In part two, I state the characteristics of the development of Hengyang economy, specially the export-oriented economy. And we conduct an investigation on enterprises to find out what kinds of English ability that a vocational college graduate should have, and conclude the new requirements that regional economy calls for on the training program of vocational English education. Then in part three, we try to know what problems exist in Higher Vocational English Teaching through investigation and discussion. Finally, we explore the countermeasures to make the higher English education to server regional economy better. First of all, to build a good external environment condition. Secondly, the service goal demonstrates the regional features of Hengyang. At last, the higher English educators should promote the English teaching mode (EGP+ESP), method, practical training, making English class more practical and helpful to the students’employment.The English education in vocational college should make the training target, set the English course and reform the teaching mode based on the characteristics of regional economy. Only in this way can it serve the regional economy and the both enjoy mutual promotion and harmonious development.