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Through a comprehensive sociological examination of foreign language education within Chinese universities, Xu focuses on the intricate dynamics between teaching and research, economic considerations, and individual and community interactions.
Through nine qualitative studies, the book explores the underlying structures and processes that shape the experiences of faculty members and the evolution of language education policies. It offers detailed insights into the sociological structures and hierarchies within foreign language education in China's universities and uncovers how economic motives influence policy development and institutional practices in higher education. The content uses rich, qualitative case studies to provide real-world insights into the lived experiences of faculty members. The book explores the implications of policy and practice through a critical sociological lens, offering a unique viewpoint on language education.
This is essential reading for scholars and students of language education and language policy. It will also appeal to policymakers, university administrators, and educators interested in the complexities of foreign language education in China and the broader implications for higher education systems worldwide.
List of contents
Chapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Stratification and Hierarchy in Teaching and Research2.1 Teaching vs. research: Division of labour or labour transfer?
2.2 Collective burnout among senior university foreign language teachers
2.3 Open access publishing community for marginalised academics
Chapter 3 The "Macroeconomics" of Foreign Language Education in Universities3.1 Expansion of undergraduate education and programmes development
3.2 Postgraduate education planning: Moderating academic and professional quotas
3.3 Endogenous policies and internal resource circulation
Chapter 4 Individuals, Activities, Communities and Structure4.1 Psychological empowerment of up-or-out faculty
4.2 Rewards: Power-based subsidy or compensation for labour?
4.3 Professional development workshops: Structure that mediates alienating effects
Chapter 5 Conclusion
About the author
Hao Xu is a professor of applied linguistics at National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University, China. His main research interests include language education, language teacher education, and sociolinguistics. He is currently associate editor of International Journal of Applied Linguistics.
