International talents’ cultivation: models and practice of foreign language training in China

In the context of globalization, the training of highly qualified international professionals that are fluent in foreign languages has become a strategic priority for China's higher education. The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of modern mechanisms and promising directions for developing training systems, using case studies of two leading linguistic universities, namely, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). The methodological framework of the study includes the analysis of regulatory documents, including the “National Teaching Quality Standards” (2018); a comparative study of educational programs and teaching methods implemented at BFSU and SISU; the evaluation of the effectiveness of different learning approaches. The research reveals significant differences in the applied models. BFSU focuses primarily on advanced multilingual education (mandatory study of two or three foreign languages) using small group formats and organizing semesters of study abroad with foreign instructors, while, SISU develops an innovative “multilingualism+” concept that combines language training with related disciplines (international relations, global economics, foreign regional studies). Notably, both universities actively incorporate digital technologies into their educational processes, fully aligning with current global trends. The scientific novelty of the study lies in systematizing the most effective training strategies: 1) integration of digital educational technologies into traditional language courses; 2) transition from specialized to comprehensive hybrid learning models. The results of the research can be used to modernize educational programs at Chinese universities.