On December 9, the ceremony of ‘English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Teaching and Research Center’ and the seminar on ESP were held in school academic exchange center of Nanjing Agricultural University. Vice-president Mr. Dong Weichun and Chairman of College Foreign Language Teaching Research Association of Jiangsu Province, Mr.Li Xiaoxiang, unveiled the plaque for the center. The conference was held by the party secretary of the College of Foreign Studies, Professor Han Jiqin.
The participating leaders came from 16 Colleges of Foreign Studies of different universities in Jiangsu Province, such as Southeast University and so on. Vice-president Mr. Dong Weichun gave the welcoming remarks and Dean of Studies, Mr.Wangtian read the document about the establishment of ESP Teaching and Research Center. Thereafter, the dean of College of Engineering, Mr.Wang Xiaochan and chairman Mr. Li Xiaoxiang congratulated the establishment of the ESP Teaching and Research Center. Mr.Dong also issued the letters of appointment to team members and members of academic committee in ESP Teaching and Research Center.
Mr. Dong said in his speech that throughout the history of Nanjing Agricultural University, our school has enjoyed a relatively high degree of internationalization since its establishment. The teachers in the College of Agriculture of Central University and Nanjing University which was known as the predecessor of our school mostly graduated from the College of Agriculture of famous universities in the United States or served as US experts working in China. With experts and scholars as well as students in our school actively publishing papers with international scientific standpoints and conducting international academic exchanges, we aim to create a world-class research university at present. ESP teaching in our school should be better integrated with related subjects so as to better serve the agricultural characteristics of our school, and reach the goal of establishing a world-class research university and satisfy the development for both majors and students.
Dean Wang Xiaochan introduced the course of teaching exploration and practice research on ESP in College of Engineering. College of Engineering strongly supports ESP teaching and research, including curriculum provision, task application and overseas training for teachers. Their college offers a series of courses on ESP development, gives priority to engineering and combines all three of principles, engineering and agriculture. He wished that teaching theory and practical results of ESP in our school can be further integrated into the national and international forums. We should keep ahead in ESP curriculum and extend the scope of the course to meet the needs of other majors. Chairman Li Xiaoxiang congratulated the establishment of the ESP Teaching and Research Center and placed great confidence in it on behalf of the association.
In the second phase of the seminar, Professor Li Xiaoxiang delivered a speech entitled ‘Thinking of Internet + and Foreign Language Teaching Reform’ and the Executive Director of the College Foreign Language Teaching Research Association of Jiangsu Province, Professor Xiao Fei made a speech named ‘Research and Construction on College English Curricula System’. Afterwards, the dean of the Foreign Language Department in Coventry University, Professor Sheena Gardner gave a lecture titled ‘Genre-based pedagogy of writing’ and the director of ESP teaching and research center, Professor Kong Fanxia made a keynote speech entitled ‘Curricula Construction and Practice Research on ESP of Nanjing Agricultural University’. Professor Kong elaborated on ESP in details from several aspects, which are theoretical development and practice, teaching method and innovation, construction of teachers’ teams, curriculum design and assessment, construction of teaching materials, problems and optimization in the research as well as development planning in the future. Finally, the vice-dean in College of Foreign Studies, professor You Yiming made closing remarks..
The establishment of the ESP Teaching and Research Center not only provides a good platform for English teaching and research of undergraduate and graduate students, but also improves the quality of basic English teaching and promotes the education level of English teachers in our school. Meanwhile, the construction of the ESP center also internationalizes foreign language teaching and research at our school.
