Media Literacy in College English Education in China - How to Develop College Students\u27 English Proficiency and Critical Thinking Ability

Purpose of this theoretical paper is to develop media literacy in College English education in China and to draw more public attention to the importance of media literacy education. With the fast development of media technologies, college students in China have much access to a variety of media messages and are vulnerable to negative media information. As a compulsory course, College English can be used as a platform in developing media literacy education in Chinese universities; meanwhile, media literacy education helps improve college students’ English proficiency and develop their critical thinking abilities. On the basis of previous studies and the author’s teach experiences as a College English teacher, the paper discusses the development of media literacy in College English education in China, and proposes suggestions in integrating media literacy in College English curriculum. First, national requirements of College English education need to be updated; second, College English textbooks need revisions; third, assessments should examine students’ ability in analyzing media information; fourth, media literacy should be incorporated into classroom teaching; finally, media literacy education should be extended to extracurricular activities. The paper analyzes the importance of improving College English teachers’ media literacy abilities and proposes that Chinese universities should provide College English teachers with opportunities of systematically studying media literacy. Implications of the paper are that the integration of media literacy in College English education will not only improve students’ English abilities, but also help them becoming critical thinkers and qualified citizens. Keywords: media literacy, College English education, English proficiency, critical thinking Themes: media literacy in College English Education in Chin