又一个专业凉凉，语言教育迎来转型阵痛期！

Core Insights - The foreign language major in China is experiencing a significant decline, with many universities cutting programs due to changing job market demands and globalization trends [1][2][3] Group 1: Program Cuts and Trends - Over 28 foreign language-related programs have been eliminated from 109 universities between 2018 and 2022, with Japanese, English, and Korean leading the list [1] - In the 2024 academic year, 13 English programs, 11 translation programs, 9 Korean programs, 9 business programs, and 5 Japanese programs were cut [1] - The top 50 programs with the highest cancellation rates in the last five years include English and Japanese, with 41 and 34 programs respectively [1] Group 2: Employment and Market Demand - The peak number of graduates from English programs exceeds 100,000, but the employment rate is below the national average, with a median salary of 5,695 [3] - The demand for foreign language professionals is declining due to advancements in AI, which can perform translation tasks more efficiently and accurately than human translators [5] - The Ministry of Education has implemented a mechanism to adjust programs based on employment rates, leading to a shift from expansion to a focus on quality and relevance [5] Group 3: Educational Reforms and Future Directions - Universities are merging foreign language departments with other disciplines, such as journalism and international trade, to create interdisciplinary programs [6] - The shift in focus indicates that foreign language studies must integrate into broader academic ecosystems to remain relevant [6] - The current adjustments in foreign language programs reflect a larger trend where STEM fields are receiving more resources and opportunities compared to liberal arts, highlighting the need for continuous skill development [7]