Foreign Language Courses in Universities Empowering New Development of the Ancient Tea Horse Road — A Case Study of Yuxi Normal University

The Ancient Tea Horse Road, as a vital channel for ancient trade and cultural exchange in China, faces challenges of preservation and inheritance in the context of modernization. Foreign language courses in universities, serving as a critical bridge for international cultural communication, demonstrate unique advantages in empowering the new development of the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Taking Yuxi Normal University as an example, this study explores how foreign language curricula integrate with the cultural heritage of the Ancient Tea Horse Road to promote its preservation and transmission. Through innovative course design, teaching methodologies, and practical engagement, foreign language courses not only deepen students’ understanding and identification with the cultural legacy of the Ancient Tea Horse Road but also cultivate their cross-cultural communication skills and cultural confidence, thereby fostering sustainable socio-economic development in the region.