Abstract

With the development of society and technology advancement, especially in the knowledge economy times, the social demand for foreign language professionals is on a diversified trend. In recent years, more and more disadvantages appear in traditional English teaching, which can not meet the social demand for people’s English ability. Moreover,the original single-functional language professional can not meet the demand of market economy. However, many colleges and universities didn’t seem to realize this point, on the contrary, they still use the old teaching model and curriculum design, thus leading to a more severe employment situation.

Curriculum design is the embodiment of teaching objectives, and also a key element for talents cultivation. To a great extent, curriculum design is decisive on the content of students’ learning and their knowledge system, and on their English proficiency and all-around abilities as well. So optimizing curriculum design allows of no delay.

This study is an empirical research on curriculum design for English majors in Shandong Youth University of Political Science (SDYU). The methodologies of literature review, questionnaire survey and interview had been used in this research. The relationship between internship and curriculum design is gained by employing questionnaires among 10 employers and 41 students. The interview aims to collect the attitudes and suggestions of 3 students and 3 teachers towards ESP curriculum design.It is expected that the study is of great significance in improving the current English teaching in Shandong Youth University of Political Science as well as providing further implications for other newly-built universities.

Key words: English Majors; Curriculum Design; Undergraduate Internship

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

  1.1 Background of the Study-1

 1.2 Purpose of the Study-1

 1.3 Significance of the Study-2

Chapter 2 Literature Review-3

  2.1 Basic Theories of Curriculum Design-3

 2.1.1 The Definition of Curriculum-3

  2.1.2 Procedures of Curriculum Design-3

  2.1.3 Current Situation of Undergraduate Curriculum Design-3

 2.2 Related Studies on Curriculum Design in China-3

  2.2.1 Studies about Curriculum Design Principles-3

  2.2.2 Studies about Curriculum Design Problems-4

Chapter 3 Research Design-5

 3.1 Participants-5

 3.2 Methods-5

 3.2.1 Questionnaire Survey-5

  3.2.2 Interview-6

Chapter 4 Findings and Results-7

 4.1 Current Situation of English Majors’ Internship at SDYU-7

 4.1.1 Current Situation of English Majors’ Internship-7

  4.1.2 Problems Challenging English Majors’ Internship at SDYU-7

  4.1.3 Reasons for English Majors’ Internship Difficulties at SDYU-8

  4.2 Current Situation of English Major Curriculum Design at SDYU-8

 4.2.1 Researches on English Major Curriculum Design -8

  4.2.2 English Major Curriculum Design at SDYU-8

  4.2.3 Defects of English Major Curriculum Design at SDYU-9

Chapter 5 Suggestions for English Major Curriculum Design-11

  5.1 Accurate Positioning of Talent Training Goal-11

 5.1.1 Optimize Course Settings-11

  5.1.2 Set up ESP Courses-11

 5.2 Reinforcement of Faculty Team Construction-12

  5.2.1 Adjustment of Teaching Methods-12

  5.2.2 Integration of Theory and Practice-13

Chapter 6 Conclusion-14

 6.1 Summary of the Research-14

  6.2 Limitations-14

Bibliography-16

Appendices-18

Acknowledgments-30