Incorporating World English into ELT in Chinese Universities: Issues and Strategies

Abstract

Abstract-English norm in the Inner Circle countries or specifically the Anglo-American norm has long been viewed as the standard in English language teaching and learning at colleges and universities in China. After introducing English varieties and nativised varieties in particular, the paper presents problems resulting from the tendency in Chinese universities. And then it focuses on how to address these issues: Practices in colleges' deciding on teaching staff, content and methods need to be adjusted; college students' learning objectives and attitude toward English learning should be optimized; the curriculum of English courses should be enriched and accordingly assessment of students' English learning efficiency should be redesigned. However, it has also been noted in the end that reform of English Language Teaching (ELT) in Chinese universities needs not only English teachers' participation but also other forces to take positive roles, such as administrators at colleges and policy makers in the education department.