Abstract:

After nearly a decade of research, Foreign Language Education Studies (FLES) has recently been formally recognized as an independent discipline by China’s Ministry of Education. However, its necessity and distinctiveness still remain unclear to many in the academic community. Building on previous research, this paper further elaborates on the necessity of FLES as a distinct field of research and explores its distinctiveness from two dimensions: the innovation of research perspectives and the transformation of research paradigms. By addressing these issues, the paper aims to advance the theoretical and practical development of FLES.

Key words: Foreign Language Education Studies (FLES), innovation of research perspectives, transformation of research paradigms