Wang Yan, an associate professor in the SFL, gave a speech on April 10th, 2014, about English teachers’ career planning in Conference Room 0910. More than 20 teachers and students, including the Party Secretary, Xu Ge, listened to the speech.
Ms. Wang told the audience how she first came up with the topic, pointing out that English teachers would need to have stronger scientific research capabilities and higher education degrees under the current requirements for college English teachers. She also mentioned that such higher requirements gave rise to job burnout amongst college English teachers. In addition, the teaching reforms focused on enhancing teachers’ ability in academic research, so that the future of college English teachers was not always guaranteed. Based on a survey she had made, Ms. Wang proposed the following topics: 1) How to define college English? 2) What are the meaning and value of college English? 3) What are the advantages of college English teachers? 4) What differences can be found in the evaluation standards set by teachers, students, university leaders for excellent college English teachers? 5) What does the evaluation form for college English teachers look like? 6) The need to explore the deeper reasons (lack of confidence, sense of accomplishment, and self-value) behind college English teachers’ job burnout 7) How can college English teachers overcome their difficulties with dignity?
The purpose of introducing and examining these topics thoroughly, is to help find a reasonable career planning path for college English teachers. Teacher representatives, Sun Nianhong, and Chen Siben, also gave their opinions on the topic.
The lecture, which evoked heated discussion about college English teachers’ career paths, finished after an hour and a half. All participants were made aware of the impending teaching reform and the urgency of professional training for teachers, which would need to be inspirational for college English teachers, as well as play a leading role in their future teaching careers.