Exploring the Practical Pathways of Integration Between College English Teaching and Ideological and Political Education Under the Concept of High-Impact Teaching

The integration of ideological and political education (IPE) into college English teaching has emerged as a pivotal strategy for fostering holistic student development in China’s higher education reform. This approach aims to bridge the gap between linguistic competence and ideological cultivation, addressing the fragmented outcomes often resulting from traditional methods that separate language skills from value-based learning. Grounded in the principles of High-Impact Practices (HIPs), this study proposes a comprehensive framework that aligns pedagogical innovation with socialist value cultivation. Through a qualitative analysis of four case studies, four practical pathways are identified for effective integration: content contextualization, pedagogical innovation, reflective assessment, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Content contextualization involves selecting materials that reflect Chinese socialist values and promoting critical intercultural competence. Pedagogical innovation leverages project-based learning to connect language study with contemporary socioeconomic issues, enhancing both professional English competencies and ideological understanding. Reflective assessment fosters critical media literacy and ideological awareness through structured self-evaluation, encouraging students to actively engage with media messages. Cross-disciplinary collaboration creates synergies between English studies and other fields, such as environmental science, addressing China’s ecological civilization goals while developing specialized language skills. The study underscores the critical role of technology-enhanced HIPs and teacher training in sustaining this integration. By overcoming challenges such as teacher readiness gaps, student resistance, and institutional inertia, this framework paves the way for a transformative educational experience that nurtures globally competent graduates capable of articulating China’s perspectives with fluency and conviction.