In November, the School of Foreign Languages successfully hosted two distinguished scholars under the SUES Internation Office’s Foreign Experts Program: Prof. Natalia Fernández from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) and Prof. Martin Guardado from the University of Alberta (Canada). Their visit brought cutting-edge academic insights, dynamic classroom interaction, and a strong international atmosphere to the faculty and students.

Deep Engagement in Teaching and Research

As this year’s appointed high-end foreign experts, both professors participated extensively in the School’s teaching and research activities. Prof. Guardado delivered a structured series of lectures for the undergraduate course Introduction to Linguistics. His teaching showcased the intellectual appeal of linguistics and highlighted its significance in sustaining human civilization.

Prof. Fernández taught Intercultural Communication with engaging in-class interaction, guiding translation majors to understand cultural symbols and cross-cultural differences in depth.

Their strong academic expertise, innovative teaching methods, and cross-cultural perspectives significantly motivated students and earned highly positive feedback.

High-Level Academic Lectures for Faculty and Students

In addition to regular teaching, both scholars delivered well-attended academic lectures:

Prof. Guardado’s lecture, “Discourse, Ideology, and the Revitalization of Náhuat,” attracted faculty from several universities across Shanghai. Drawing on long-term ethnographic fieldwork, he demonstrated how historical memory and contemporary aspirations jointly shape the revitalization of an endangered language and its transformation into a renewed cultural symbol.

Prof. Fernández presented “A Short History of Violence Against Women in Western Media” to the university’s international students. Using a linguistic lens, she traced diachronic media representations in Europe and analyzed the shifting social attitudes behind them.

Advancing Internationalization and Academic Development

The successful visit of the two foreign experts reflects the School’s continued commitment to internationalization, faculty development, and high-quality talent cultivation. Their teaching and research activities enriched the School’s academic environment, introduced fresh perspectives, and strengthened students’ global competence.

Looking ahead, the School of Foreign Languages will continue to leverage platforms such as the Foreign Experts Program to deepen collaboration with leading international scholars and further enhance its academic and disciplinary development.