Letters | Foreign language studies no longer a hot major in China at a time cross-cultural communication is critical
- China’s zero-Covid policy has dealt blows to foreign trade, cross-border travel and the prospects of foreign language graduates
- However, domestic demand for multilingual talent is expected to increase as Chinese companies eye overseas markets
With a new semester kicking off, colleges and majors are again a major talking point on Chinese social media. Guangzhou-based Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), a top-tier university in China for foreign language studies, was trending on Weibo due to a plunge in its admission threshold for 2022.
Thresholds vary every year, depending predominantly upon the number of applicants. This year, candidates with entrance exam scores that are 27 points lower than the cut-off last year can also enrol at GDUFS, thanks to less intense competition. This is an obvious windfall for some students, given the university’s exceptional reputation in academia and among employers.
After China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, foreign language studies became a plum major sought by many students. The admission threshold was much higher a decade ago. Nevertheless, the trend now seems to be in reverse.
The reasons why a once-popular major is falling out of favour are mixed. Apart from the fact that students with an average level of foreign language skills are more replaceable than decades ago due to significantly improved translation tools and citizens’ English ability, the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly contributed to the waning of enthusiasm for foreign languages.
The zero-Covid policy in China has also led to less international trade and cross-border travel, which has dealt a blow to the employment prospects of current graduates with degrees in foreign languages.