This paper redefines the concepts of English as a universitydiscipline, quality education, patterns of training Englishmajors and the demand for them in the market. Through carefulanalysis the paper points out that it is difficult or unnecessaryfor English departments to shoulder the sole responsibility oftraining students "with multiple skills". The introduction ofnon-English courses into English departments is both shortsightedand misleading. One of the reasons why English departments inChina are eager to deviate from the norm of EFL teaching is thatthey fail to understand properly their own position in highereducation. The paper maintains that what English majors presentlylack is not the technical knowledge and/or skills for a particularjob but the ability to think creatively and adapt themselves to theever-changing market. The paper makes a prediction thatEnglish departments in China will sooner or later return to their"proper business" of teaching English language and culture.
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