Author(s)

Hong Zhang

Corresponding Author

Hong Zhang

Abstract

Only with knowledge of English, College students no longer gain an edge in the 21st century with increasingly fierce competition and frequent international exchanges. College English, a required and basic course for undergraduates in non-English majors, is an important part of general education. English as the lingua franca is not only a tool for communication, but also a carrier of culture. English curriculum reform, therefore, should never be treated as isolated. We should draw on the ideas and methods of general education, set a new English curriculum system, propose effective measures for the reform of college English curriculum and improve the quality of English teaching. College English curriculum reform based on general education will better achieve the goal of college English teaching, broaden the students’ horizons, open their minds, foster their ability of independent thinking, enhance their cultural literacy to make them the real “whole man” in the idea of general education.

Keywords

College students, English curriculum setting, General education, Multi-demand analysis.