The collaboration of Sino-American experts has resulted in
publication of a new series of university English teaching courses
by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.
"New Century College English" was released last month after four
years collaboration by scholars from more than 30 universities.
Divided into eight books, the series includes an integrated
English course, English reading, speed reading, an English video
course and a writing course. Another two optional courses
concerning culture and trade add diversity to the collection.
"The content is customized for university students' real life
experience," said Qin Xiubai, the series' editor-in-chief and a
professor from South China University of Technology.
"Practical information such as resumes, scholarship applications
and English Website design are included to better convey Western
culture and adapt the students to international communication," he
said.
Optional courses offered include finance, job planning,
international economics and trade development.
Many English experts attending the publication launch said
today's university students read little and write even less, which
leads to a worse standard of English communication.
"Listening, speaking, reading and writing are four basic skills
in picking up English," said Liu Haiping, a Nanjing University
professor who is chief editor of the writing course.
"In spite of being last in the sequence, writing is more than
simply finishing an assignment and is actually very important," he
said.
(Shanghai Daily January 1, 2008)
