Constructing an Ideological and Political Element Map for College English: Integrating Tangshan’s Local Cultural Resources into New Horizon College English

Abstract

In response to China’s national strategy of “Curriculum Ideology and Politics” (CIP), which integrates moral and political education into all disciplines, this study addresses the challenge of effectively implementing CIP in college English courses. Moving beyond generic approaches, this practice-oriented research project developed and piloted a localized CIP model for the widely used New Horizon College English (Fourth Edition) textbook. The core innovation lies in constructing a three-dimensional “textbook-culture-ideology” element map that systematically links specific unit themes with the unique cultural resources of Tangshan City, such as its industrial heritage, the “Spirit of Earthquake Resilience,” and intangible cultural heritage like Shadow Puppetry. Employing a methodology of content analysis, case study, and action research, the project identified synergies between textbook content and local culture, designed corresponding teaching activities, and implemented them in freshman English classes. Findings indicate that this localized approach enhanced student engagement, fostered cultural confidence, and facilitated the natural integration of ideological-political elements into language learning. The study concludes that the “textbook-culture-ideology” mapping model offers a practical, replicable framework for enriching college English teaching with meaningful local context, thereby achieving CIP goals more authentically. It provides valuable insights for pedagogical innovation in similar contexts.