College English Teachers in China: Developments, Crisis and Solutions

Abstract

This research investigates whether the employment of College English teachers (CETs) is threatened in China. In order to explore this issue, the study traced the evolution of College English (CE) and the past and present status of CETs, analyzing various causes for change in the status of CETs that also lead to the issue of surplus CETs. The threats to CETs identified include the changing patterns in English learning and teaching, amendment in the language policy and the absence of a justification of CE as a course at tertiary level. The study proposed a few possible solutions to tackle the issue of surplus CETs. It concluded that a successful transfer of ‘surplus labors’ in CET not only depends on the implementation of top-down scheme scientifically designed for teacher training, but also relies on the CETs’ professional commitment to seizing every opportunity of upgrading their personal, technical and pedagogical competencies. Although the potential problems and challenges facing CETs are discussed in Chinese contexts, they may have implications for other similar educational contexts where English is taught as a foreign language.