Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 10 is in the English version of the textbook, are you serious?

Director Luo looked helplessly at Qin Liang, awaiting his answer.

"Well, well, I've only just started my undergraduate studies, it's not time for graduate school yet..."

In 1985, the Ministry of Education began a pilot program for recommending students for admission without examination at key universities nationwide, with the recommendation rate not exceeding five percent. This is the origin of the postgraduate recommendation system. Now, postgraduate students are not recommended yet; they have to take the exam. I haven't even passed the exam, so what are you all arguing about here!

"This year's freshmen will definitely produce many outstanding students. At that time, each professor will be able to get a few, so there will be no need to fight for them!"

The new three classes were full of hidden talents. After a special ten-year period, many outstanding talents were hidden away and then burst forth in these three years. Especially in 78, Northwestern Polytechnical University produced so many extraordinary talents in just Class 5381!
There are plenty of talented people out there!
"Qin Liang, do you think that once we recruit this batch, everyone will be like you, able to do research without even studying?" Professor Liu's eyes shone brightly.

"Why don't they need to learn? Of course they have to learn, but they learn incredibly fast..." Qin Liang looked at Niu Guishan: "Like the one Teacher Niu is recruiting next, he graduated from junior high school and took the college entrance examination, and he was able to get a score that would qualify him for the gifted youth class. This kind of genius can quickly start doing research."

"Alright." Professor Liu nodded. We still have to use the college entrance examination to select talents. After accumulating talents for ten years, there will definitely be a group of prodigies, just like Qin Liang!
"Qin Liang is right!" Director Luo nodded. "Old Liu, you can rest assured! We'll give you a few extra when the time comes!"

Boom!
Just then, the door was pushed open.

A female teacher in her forties walked in: "Director Luo, this new textbook... Oh, so many people here. I'll wait a bit, I won't disturb you any longer..."

Looking at the catalog the female teacher brought, Director Luo said, "Teacher Yu, wait a minute!"

Yu Zhi stopped in her tracks, somewhat suspicious: "Director Luo?"

"Let Qin Liang take a look at this textbook catalog," Director Luo said with a smile. "Qin Liang has only been at our school for one day, and two senior professors are already vying for his attention. His professional knowledge is outstanding. Now, let him give us some pointers on the textbooks for our first-year students."

Qin Liang quickly waved his hand: "Director Luo, how would I know about these things..."

"You know so much! Qin Liang, did you learn all this at home on your own? Don't be so proud of yourself! You just said that one person's strength is insignificant, but the strength of the masses is great. We need to cultivate more students like you..."

"Okay." Qin Liang knew he had to take a look.

Teacher Yu, who was in charge of academic affairs, looked at Qin Liang curiously. Did this student know the textbook?
Qin Liang glanced at it.

Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, Fundamentals of Higher Mathematics, Basic Principles of Marxism...

"Qin Liang, what do you think of these books?" Yu Zhi asked.

Qin Liang originally wanted to nod, thinking, "Not bad, very good! I don't need to get involved in this."

"Qin Liang, you just said you want the new students to be able to do research with us as soon as possible. You'll have to come up with some ideas for the learning materials!" At this moment, Professor Liu spoke up: "Director Luo has high hopes for you!"

Qin Liang suddenly realized: So, it turned out Director Luo was testing him. These two professors were vying for him—did he truly possess genuine talent, or was he just all talk and no action?
"This book on aerodynamics is probably written by the professors themselves, right? I think it would be better to start with fluid mechanics, wouldn't it? I remember there was a very comprehensive, systematic, and classic textbook..."

As Qin Liang spoke, he picked up a pen and began writing rapidly next to the "Fundamentals of Aerodynamics" textbook.

Yu Zhi leaned closer to take a look and was instantly stunned: "Why is it in English?"

"Yes, 'Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics', published by John Wiley & Sons, is the best textbook for fluid mechanics. It progresses step by step from basic fluid properties and fluid statics to fluid dynamics and boundary layer theory. Every knowledge point is explained in detail and in a simple way, which can help students quickly build a knowledge system of fluid mechanics."

Qin Liang spoke with great familiarity: "Moreover, even those doing scientific research can use it; it becomes an important reference book, providing a solid theoretical foundation and abundant inspiration, especially the practice problems that follow—every single one is a classic..."

"As for the advanced mathematics theory that students will study after enrollment, I recommend the book 'Mathematical Analysis' by Walter Rudin. This book is a classic and very suitable for our study..."

"Qin Liang, thank you for your recommendation, but... these are all English books. Are there any translated versions available in China?"

"It's probably unlikely. We'll have to ask our colleagues in the foreign affairs department to procure it from abroad."

"Well... I'm afraid we won't have time to translate. There's simply not enough time left in the summer vacation..."

"No need for translation! We can just buy the English textbooks and print them directly!"

These days, nobody cares about original or pirated books. Many schools don't have their own materials or textbooks and print them themselves. Ordinary primary and secondary schools only have mimeograph machines, which require cutting stencils onto steel plates. Big cities have printing plants with skilled workers, so printing books is still quite fast. In fact, many are even school-run factories.

Yu Zhi was stunned.

"Qin Liang, you're suggesting we use original English textbooks?"

"That's right, teachers. The country has opened its doors, and we have seen the world outside. Our technology is lagging behind, and we need to work hard to catch up. This requires us to be able to understand foreign books and newspapers, and to publish our articles in important academic journals in foreign languages. Our university is for cultivating talent, so let's start cultivating talent from the moment we enter the university!"

"But... the students probably won't understand it. Most of our students study Russian!"

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the experience of the Big Brother was completely copied, including foreign languages. Foreign language courses offered in middle schools across the country were all in Russian. In that special era, in order to show their contempt for foreign countries, many people were ashamed of learning foreign languages ​​and laughed and cursed them as foreigners.

Of course, some large cities, such as Shanghai, started teaching English in the 1970s. With the development of relations with the West, the status of English has become increasingly important. However, in most parts of the country, Russian is still the primary language of instruction.

It was now the late 1970s, the country had opened its doors, and everyone had realized the importance of English. To understand foreign technological developments, one needed to speak English; to publish papers internationally, one also needed to speak English! But…

Not only do the students not speak English, but many of the teachers are actually trained in Russian!

How to teach this?
(End of this chapter)