Language Attrition of College English Teachers and Countermeasures

Based on a qualitative investigation, the article explores the phenomenon of college English teachers' language attrition. The investigation reveals that about 53.5% of college English teachers suffer from language attrition. Being a hidden process and varying among individuals as well as in attrited skills, English teachers' language attrition is affected by multi-factors such as the subjects and level of students they teach, habits of language use and their own English level. In order to prevent the adverse impacts of language attrition on English teachers' professional abilities, the writer proposes five countermeasures to enhance continuing education in language abilities, including joining language training programs, strengthening academic English learning, increasing the awareness of language use, carrying out reform on college English teaching and providing language services for the society.