DOI: 10.15507/1991-9468.029.202501.171-185
UDC 37:811.111
Reforming English as a Second Language into English Information Literacy Curriculum (Case of China Universities)
Yanfeng Yue
Master of Management, Associate Professor, School of International Education, University of Science and Technology Liaoning (189 Qianshan Middle St., Anshan 114051, People’s Republic of China), Student, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117198, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1877-4077, Scopus ID: 57193609479, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract
Introduction. The curriculum of General English in universities in China have been designed and conducted as a foreign language. However, the unsatisfactory learning outcomes urge a thorough examination of the curricular nature and an innovative curricular design. The nature of General English is evaluated with an innovative framework of assessment. This article aims to demonstrate the necessity of converting General English course for undergraduates in China into English Information Literacy Curriculum.
Materials and Methods. The conventional General English course is evaluated in accordance with the framework of language curriculum design by I.S.P. Nation and J. Macalister, in the aspects of environment, learners’ needs, course principles, goals, sequence and content, lesson format, and assessment procedures. With the method of deduction, English Information Literacy Curriculum is proposed to complement the defects of General English.
Results. The data of learners’ achievements consolidate the necessity of reforming General English as a second language course. Inaccuracy in defining curricular nature is revealed by the inadequate goals of competency for learners, the irrational multi-disciplinary pedagogical framework, the inefficient design of a systematic curriculum, and the ineffective blended teaching method.
Discussion and Conclusion. The significance of this article lies in the innovative curriculum evaluation system. It is recommended that General English should be reformed into a systematic information literacy curriculum in English, and English should be taught as a second language rather than as a foreign language. This study provides a new perspective for researchers in the field of foreign language pedagogy and curriculum developers of general English in universities.
Keywords: general English, English information literacy, curriculum design, online learning resources, global competence, autonomic learning
Funding: This paper is the periodical research result of “Construction and Research of English Literacy Curricular System in Local Industrial Colleges and Universities under the Background of New Liberal Arts” (No. 231107180150958), the first batch of 2024 Educational Project of Industry-Education Co-operation and Coordination supported by the Ministry of Education of China. This publication has been supported by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia Strategic Academic Leadership Program.
Acknowledgments: The author would like to thank the reviewers for their support, whose comments helped improve the article’s structure and content.
Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.
For citation: Yue Y. Reforming English as a Second Language into English Information Literacy Curriculum. Integration of Education. 2025;29(1):171–185. https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.029.202501.171-185
The author has read and approved the final manuscript.
Submitted 02.08.2024;
revised 23.09.2024;
accepted 01.10.2024.
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