Department of Foreign Languages
The Department of Foreign Languages of China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing boasts a long history dating back to the 1950s, with its developmental path profoundly illustrating the university’s deep accumulation and achievements in the field of foreign language education. As it underwent various changes over time, especially the merger of CUMTB and the Coal Mining Management College in 1998, its strength has gradually increased. Currently, the department has assembled an outstanding team of 44 full-time faculty members, including 4 professors, 17 associate professors, and 23 lecturers, which not only covers English language teaching but also extends to other languages such as French, showcasing the diverse and internationalized characteristics of the faculty.
At the level of disciplinary construction, the Department of Foreign Languages has built a first-class academic platform, with a master’s degree authorization point for the first-level discipline of Foreign Languages and Literature and a master’s degree authorization point for the field of English Translation. Its extensive and in-depth research covers multiple dimensions, including the theory of Western linguistics, practical applications of applied linguistics, exploration of English literature, and the theory and techniques of translation. This has resulted in an all-encompassing disciplinary layout, ranging from linguistics to pedagogy and from literature to cultural studies.
In the practice of teaching and research, the faculty of the Department of Foreign Languages has produced fruitful results, especially in the fields of linguistics, English literature and intercultural communication; Besides, based on the university’s unique industrial resources, the department has nurtured a significant number of multidisciplinary talents with both professional knowledge and translation skills in the specialized field of energy translation. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Languages has established cooperative relationships with many academic institutions globally and ensured with multiple provincial and ministerial research projects that its teaching and scientific research keep up with the frontiers.
In terms of program offerings, the English major has become the first-class undergraduate major in Beijing with its excellent educational quality and distinctive features. Each year, it admits 50 students from across the country. Its comprehensive curriculum emphasizes not only the refinement of language skills but also the cultivation of cross-cultural understanding and creativity. Guided by a systematic curriculum of specialized skills and knowledge, students not only build a solid language foundation, but are also able to delve into interdisciplinary content such as English and American literature, energy science and technology.
The undergraduate program in English with a specialization in “Energy English” draws upon the university's strengths in disciplines like energy mining. It imparts foundational knowledge in energy technology and aims to cultivate versatile talent with expertise in both English and energy technology. In addition, by organizing English language competitions, social practice, innovation projects and other activities, the program has built a robust practical platform for students, which significantly enhances their comprehensive competitiveness. In recent years, its passing rates of the TEM-4 and TEM-8 are significantly higher than the national average. Graduates pursue further studies in renowned higher education institutions both domestically and internationally or successfully secure employment in fields such as education, diplomacy, and international trade.
To meet the growing demand for foreign language learning across the university, the Department of Foreign Languages has continuously innovated its teaching strategies, introducing the “College English+” curriculum and actively integrating digital tools to modernize teaching approaches, so as to comprehensively improve students’ foreign language ability and professional characteristics. The faculty of the Department of Foreign Languages have undertaken a large number of College English teaching tasks on the Shahe Campus, demonstrating a high sense of professional responsibility and dedication. In addition, the department actively guides students to participate in various foreign language competitions, striving to inspire their motivation and enthusiasm for learning. This effort has helped students achieve excellent results in many provincial and national competitions.
Looking ahead, the Department of Foreign Languages will further deepen its disciplinary construction and professional expansion on the current basis. It plans to apply for a doctoral degree authorization point in the first-level discipline of Foreign Languages and Literatures, aiming to establish an integrated talent cultivation system that supports consecutive undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. Simultaneously, it intends to expand disciplinary boundaries, promote interdisciplinary integration, and provide students with more diverse learning resources and platforms.
