关键词: 外语教育; 大学英语; 创新人才; 人文教育; 科学素养; 思辨能力

Abstract:

Tertiary foreign-language education, particularly college English, is being increasingly challenged by the national requirement to cultivate innovative talents. As college English is oriented toward liberal education and is committed to improving the humanistic quality of university students, it is unable to adapt to the new era in which scientific knowledge is increasing at an exponential rate and university students need to be able to make informed judgments in political matters that involve science and technology. We suggest that more emphasis should be placed on education in scientific literacy instead of neglecting or even being hostile toward it. For example, efforts must be made revolutionize the teaching content of college English with the aim of improving the scientific literacy of university students in areas such as scientific knowledge, information literacy, critical-thinking ability, and problem-solving ability.

Keywords: foreign-language education; college English; innovative talents; humanistic education; scientific literacy; critical thinking