Shaping the Future of English Teaching

The 2025 International Academic Conference on English Teaching and Research in Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education took place from November 21–23 at Beijing University of Technology (BJUT). Co-organised by BJUT and University College Dublin (UCD) and hosted by the Beijing-Dublin International College (BDIC), the event brought together nearly 280 experts and scholars from 13 countries and 106 institutions. Participants explored new directions for English teaching in Sino-Foreign cooperative education, contributing fresh insight to the cultivation of globally minded graduates.

The opening ceremony featured leaders from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the China Education Association for International Exchange, BJUT, UCD, and Education in Ireland (China). Speakers highlighted the importance of deepening international cooperation, integrating world-class educational resources, strengthening governance of foreign-related education, and advancing English teaching as a foundation for cross-cultural understanding and high-quality talent development. They emphasized digital innovation, two-way mutual learning, and the creation of language teaching models that combine international perspectives with Chinese characteristics.

Throughout the conference, keynote speakers from China, Ireland, the UK, and the U.S. shared research and best practices on English for Academic Purposes (EAP), curriculum design, faculty development, experiential learning, and collaborative teaching. Their talks addressed both the challenges and opportunities presented by technological transformation and the growing demand for global competence in higher education.

Three parallel forums stimulated lively discussion on EAP pedagogy, AI-enabled teaching tools, cross-cultural communication, and teacher development. Topics ranged from backward curriculum design and Belt and Road language education to generative AI in academic writing and sustainable pathways for EAP teacher training.

Established in 2012, BDIC has become a leading model for Sino-Foreign cooperative education. With four undergraduate programmes and more than 1,400 students, the college has produced nearly 2,500 graduates with high employment and postgraduate study rates. Many graduates enter top global universities, and BDIC has received multiple national awards recognizing its excellence and impact.

Source BJUT Today