Government News
A new benchmark for foreign language teaching excellence in China 2025-12-11
From December 5 to 7, fifty-eight outstanding university foreign language teachers—each a top winner from provincial competitions across thirty provinces—gathered in Shanghai for the national finals of the 16th National Foreign Language Teaching Contest.
Hosted by Shanghai International Studies University and organized by Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, this year’s competition focused on College English under the theme “Telling China’s Stories, Leading the Future.” After several rounds of intense competition, Chen Xiaotong from Huazhong Agricultural University and He Guangyu from Sichuan Normal University won the grand prizes in the Comprehensive Course and Audio-Visual-Oral Course categories.
Innovation Meets Pedagogy: AI Enters the Classroom
This year’s contest introduced an upgraded evaluation system incorporating AI-assisted instructional design, encouraging participants to use generative AI responsibly, safely, and effectively—while reaffirming the irreplaceable role of teachers in shaping learning outcomes. SISU President Li Yansong emphasized that since its inception, the contest has remained committed to strengthening China’s foreign-language teaching workforce. As education undergoes a digital transformation, integrating AI into the competition reflects both technological progress and the mission to enhance the global reach of Chinese civilization.
Leading scholars echoed this vision. Professor Shu Dingfang of the Ministry of Education’s College Foreign Language Teaching Steering Committee noted that the contest moves in step with national education reforms and the goals of building an “education-strong nation.” He underscored three imperatives for the field: grounding teaching in core values, embracing digital innovation, and cultivating a high-caliber faculty capable of nurturing globally competent talent.
A Stage for Excellence—and a Compass for the Future
Professor Sun Youzhong of Beijing Foreign Studies University highlighted the strategic role of foreign language education in international communication, cultural dialogue, and global engagement. Professor Chang Hongmei of Beijing Union University stressed that integrating new technologies with pedagogy is essential for training the next generation of educators.
Judges from Nanjing University and NYU Shanghai praised the contestants’ creativity, AI literacy, and commitment to student-centered teaching, while also identifying areas for further growth—such as deeper cultural perspectives, stronger instructional design logic, and clearer learning objectives.
In the closing ceremony, Ding Yi, President and Editor-in-Chief of the competition, affirmed the contest’s longstanding mission of fostering teaching innovation and professional development. Over sixteen years, the competition has helped steer foreign language education from knowledge transmission toward ability building and value shaping. Supported by their digital platforms, the field is now entering a new era where language proficiency and character formation advance together.
Today, the contest stands not only as a showcase of teaching excellence, but also as a barometer of China’s evolving foreign-language education landscape—where pedagogical reform, technological integration, and global competence converge. As it moves forward, the competition will continue to inspire educators nationwide and contribute to the cultivation of future-ready talents with both national commitment and international vision.
Source: Shanghai Eye
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