1、 Introduction

The 2023 report from the American Modern Language Association indicates that the number of registrations for foreign language courses in American universities decreased by 16.6% between 2016 and 2021, with only an increase in registrations for American Sign Language, Hebrew, and Korean. The COVID-19 has led to a decline in enrollment, the decline of STEM disciplines and humanities, and the progress of artificial intelligence technology, which together affect foreign language education.

2、 Horizontal comparison and vertical traceability

In recent years, the number of Korean language course electives in American universities has significantly increased, which is closely related to the enhancement of South Korea's soft power. Korean cultural products and popular culture are widely popular in the United States, promoting the development of Korean language and related disciplines. The cultural teaching of Chinese courses can draw on the development model of Korean courses. In history, cultural exchanges between China and the West can be traced back to the late 18th century, but at that time, the Qing government had not yet established the concept of equal diplomacy. Today, China is actively promoting the international dissemination of culture, hoping that foreigners will have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. The 2017 Survey of Foreigners' Cognition of Chinese Culture shows that foreign audiences have a high awareness of Chinese cultural symbols such as traditional Chinese medicine and abacus, and a low awareness of art forms such as Dunhuang dance. Foreign audiences generally agree with traditional Chinese cultural values, but the sense of familiarity needs to be improved. It is worth further exploring whether these cultural symbols are involved in Chinese language teaching in American universities, as well as the similarities and differences between research methods and cultural teaching concepts in second language acquisition theory.

3、 Cultural Teaching of Advanced Chinese Courses in American Universities

In the field of Chinese language teaching in American universities, the importance of cultural teaching is increasingly prominent, reflected in the richness of theoretical exploration and teaching practice. Textbook writing and curriculum design are two key aspects of the development of cultural education. Textbooks such as "Chinese Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing" and "The New China" guide students to understand Chinese society and culture through the progression of daily life topics, while comparing cultural differences between China and the United States, showcasing China's modern image. The textbook content is consistent with international Chinese education standards and foreign language proficiency standards, emphasizing the presentation of cultural and social identity.

4、 Summary and Prospect

The cultural teaching of Chinese courses in American universities and the Research Report on Foreigners' Cognition of Chinese Culture show that the teaching materials and curriculum settings are highly coincident with foreigners' cognition of Chinese society and culture, covering cultural symbols such as the Great Wall and Taijiquan. The international dissemination of Chinese literature and film and television works has improved foreigners' understanding of Chinese writers such as Mo Yan and Yu Hua. Cultural cognitive ability should not only be based on knowledge of cultural symbols, but also on a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Chinese culture. Cultural education should shift from a national paradigm to a transnational paradigm, focusing on dynamic cultural construction such as panda diplomacy and the concept of Great Wall defense. Teachers should guide students to explore the historical, cultural, and political connotations behind cultural symbols. Chinese language teaching should go beyond language teaching, cultivate students' open and inclusive mentality, understand, comprehend, and appreciate China. The application of artificial intelligence tools in cultural education is a new direction for future research. Lin Zexu's metaphor of a strong ship and a sharp cannon emphasizes the importance of artificial intelligence technology in language teaching.