50th anniversary of Tianjin Foreign Language School

A school that knows the language of global culture

Foreign language schools are shifting their mission from cultivating language expertise to preparing well-rounded students, versed in foreign languages and cultures.

Tianjin Foreign Language School, launched in 1964 as one of the first batch of foreign language schools under the supervision of then-Premier Zhou Enlai, is focusing more on the comprehensive skills of students rather than the mastery of languages alone, in an attempt to foster greater expertise and the development of an open and tolerant mindset.

From the Principal

"Mastery and proficiency in languages alone is no longer sufficient to prepare the students for the competitive global market."

"It's more important to boost creative and innovative thinking, so that students can better adapt to the global community whatever their future major and career is."

"We introduced the advanced placement courses for some senior high students last year, to prepare the students for overseas study."

"The courses further tap the potential of students, who gradually find where their interests may lie during the courses, be it in politics, finance or physics, and study it further abroad."

"Some of the students have received invitations from universities from abroad, including the University of Chicago, considering their excellence in the APP exams."

"Some are also applying for world class universities, including Columbia University and University of California."

---- Diao Yajun, principal of Tianjin Foreign Language School

What They Say

Sun Yuhua

President of Dalian University of Foreign Languages

China's reform and opening-up provide great space for the development of foreign language colleges and universities.

We will further promote internationalized education, make use of resources both at home and abroad, improve teaching concepts and talent training, and produce more excellent talent. More >>

Li Ying

Principal of Changchun Foreign Language School

Our school was established with the goal of teaching excellence in foreign languages and diplomacy.

However, as China is becoming more open and international exchanges are becoming more frequent, language skills on their own are no longer a unique strength of students in foreign language schools. More >>

Zhang Yuyun

Principal of Chongqing Foreign Language School

Compared with top international universities, which lead frontier research, some Chinese universities are still "feeding" students decade-old knowledge.

For students in foreign language schools, language is their strength. We are aiming to nurture students with Chinese spirit and international vision, that's how we connect to the trend of globalization. More >>

Dong Zhengjing

Principal of Nanjing Foreign Language School

A successful school must let each student reach their full potential.

Nanjing Foreign Language School is becoming more diverse as we nurture each student and more inclusive as we reach out. 

We want to cultivate people who not only want to help China through their education but also let their knowledge benefit the world. More >>

Cui Deming

Principal of Shanghai Foreign Language School Affiliated to Shanghai International Studies University

Over the past five decades, we have successfully cultivated a large number of language talents from our school. Their exceptional achievements have fully reflected the uniqueness of the school.

With the country's opening-up policy, China has seen growing interest in foreign language learning over the past 50 years, and the quality of foreign language education has also improved greatly. More >>

Li Honglang

Principal of Wuhan Foreign Language School

Established 49 years ago, Wuhan Foreign Language School is relatively new, compared to many schools that have a history of more than 100 years.

In 1964, our school was set up to nurture expertise in foreign languages and diplomacy. But today, as a school with excellent education resources, we want to do more. We want to give students multiple choices and hope that they can progress on the basis of the advantage they gain from this. More >>