The collaboration of Sino-American experts has resulted in publication of a new series of university English teaching courses by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.

"New Century College English" was released last month after four years collaboration by scholars from more than 30 universities.

Divided into eight books, the series includes an integrated English course, English reading, speed reading, an English video course and a writing course. Another two optional courses concerning culture and trade add diversity to the collection.

"The content is customized for university students' real life experience," said Qin Xiubai, the series' editor-in-chief and a professor from South China University of Technology.

"Practical information such as resumes, scholarship applications and English Website design are included to better convey Western culture and adapt the students to international communication," he said.

Optional courses offered include finance, job planning, international economics and trade development.

Many English experts attending the publication launch said today's university students read little and write even less, which leads to a worse standard of English communication.

"Listening, speaking, reading and writing are four basic skills in picking up English," said Liu Haiping, a Nanjing University professor who is chief editor of the writing course.

"In spite of being last in the sequence, writing is more than simply finishing an assignment and is actually very important," he said.

(Shanghai Daily January 1, 2008)