关键词: 义务教育英语课程标准; 文化意识; 科学素养; 英语教学指南; 教材编写

Abstract:

English Curriculum Standards for Compulsory Education (2022 Edition) postulates that cultural awareness is one of the key competencies for students. Although this is understandable, considering the critical role of scientific literacy in compulsory education, we suggest that the key competencies should include scientific literacy education, which is an active response to the government decision that the scientific literacy of young boys and girls should be greatly improved during the 14^th Five-Year Plan. Scientific literacy is the basis of cultural awareness and cross-disciplinary studies. Without the fundamentals of scientific knowledge and methodology, youths will lack the intellectual tools and social responsibility needed for true cultural awareness. After analyzing the causes underlying the dearth of attention paid to scientific literacy education in compulsory and even higher education, we suggest reforms are needed in the development of teaching materials, the methodology of English instruction, and the organization of various scientific activities.

Keywords: English Curriculum Standards for Compulsory Education; cultural awareness; scientific literacy; English-teaching guidelines; textbook compilation