On October 24, 2020, the Second International Young Scholars Forum on Foreign Languages was successfully held by the School of Foreign Languages (SFL), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Over 30 budding young scholars participated in this forum and had a vigorous discussion on the cutting-edge issues in the study of foreign languages and literature. Keynote speeches were given by Ding Jian (Secretary of CPC SFL committee), Chang Hui (Executive Associate Dean of SFL), Prof. Liu Jianjun and Prof. Yuan Boping (both are Distinguished Professor of SFL). The forum was hosted by Prof. Shang Biwu.

Prof. Liu Jianjun, in his speech concerning the overview of foreign literature studies in SFL, emphasized several considerable merits of its high-caliber faculty, including their innovative research ideas, advanced teaching methods and increasing morale.

Prof. Yuan Boping delivered a speech on third language acquisition. He pointed out that, in the era of globalization, third language acquisition emerged as a rising topic in linguistic studies, and he called on scholars to carry out further investigation in the future.

In the afternoon, the participants exchanged ideas in three panel sessions, which focused on linguistics, translation studies and literary studies, respectively. Six outstanding faculty members of SFL hosted the sessions and joined in the dialogue.

The forum has not only promoted an open exchange of insights among young participants, but also embodied SFL’s warm welcome to its future members.