Problematising recent developments in non-English foreign language education in Chinese universities

In light of China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, many mainland Chinese universities have been promoting non-English foreign language degree programs at the undergraduate level. This study examines the growth of these non-English foreign language programs by collecting and analysing a variety of data on curriculum design, teachers and learners through online and archive research. The results from the analysis problematise the development of non-English foreign language degree programs in Chinese universities. Although the analysis identified a significant leap in the growth of non-English foreign language programs, many of these programs need to address a variety of challenges including ‘unrealistic’ curriculum objectives, teacher shortages, and attracting high quality applicants. While the rapid expansion of non-English foreign language degree programs potentially enables Chinese universities to play a critical role in promoting the learning and teaching of non-English foreign languages in China, it has become imperative for these universities to engage in carefully coordinated efforts so that this growth can be sustained.