Building Transformative Learning English Curriculum to Enhance Chinese College Students’ English Listening, Speaking Proficiency and Critical Thinking Dispositions

Abstract

In the context of globalization, English, as a global language, plays an increasingly important role, with many countries making it a compulsory subject in their educational systems. However, the English proficiency of students in China, particularly in listening and speaking, is generally low. This study, based on Mezirow's transformative learning theory, aims to improve Chinese college students' English listening and speaking skills as well as their critical thinking abilities through a transformative learning curriculum. A panel of five scholars reviewed the course syllabus. The findings suggest that the comfortable and safe learning environment created within the transformative learning curriculum, combined with a student-centered approach, critical learning tasks, and authentic learning scenarios, significantly enhances student engagement and learning effectiveness.