Founded in 1972, the English major is one of the earliest English majors in China. This major was rated as a national characteristic major in 2010, a professional reform demonstration site in Hunan Province and the Ministry of Education in 2012 and 2015, a first-level discipline of foreign Chinese language and literature as a key discipline in Hunan Province, a first-class undergraduate major construction site in Hunan Province in 2019, a national first-class undergraduate major construction site in 2020, and a demonstration base for school-enterprise cooperation talent training in Hunan Province and a translation research base in Hunan Province. At present, there are doctoral programs in the first-level discipline of foreign Chinese and literature, master's programs in the first-level discipline of foreign Chinese and literature, and the first batch of master's degree programs in translation (interpretation and translation).

More than 80% of the existing faculty members of this major have senior professional titles, and more than 60% have doctoral degrees. There are more than 500 undergraduates and nearly 400 master's and doctoral students. In recent years, the teachers of this major have presided over more than 10 national projects, 2 national first-class courses, more than 10 projects of the Ministry of Education, 2 industry-university-research collaborative education projects of the Ministry of Education, 1 curriculum ideological and political project of the Ministry of Education, more than 60 provincial projects, published more than 500 high-level papers, won 1 famous teacher of ideological and political teaching of the Ministry of Education, and guided students to win more than 20 special prizes and more than 40 first prizes in national competitions.

This major has a complete discipline and a training system of "undergraduate, master's and doctorate". The training objectives are: to cultivate senior English professionals who consciously practice the core values of socialism, love the motherland and the people, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, have a correct world view, outlook on life and values, have a realistic and pragmatic spirit, profound humanistic qualities and excellent professional qualities, and have all-round development of morality, intelligence, physique, aesthetics and labor, and are worthy of the great task of national rejuvenation; Outstanding professional ability, "one specialization and multiple abilities" and "one refinement and multiple skills" integrated English professionals; Compound English professionals with far-reaching feelings for family and country, broad international vision, good professionalism and spirit of cooperation. This major requires students to have a firm and correct political direction, good ideological character and sound personality; Possess comprehensive humanistic qualities; Have a strong sense of responsibility to integrate into national rejuvenation and national development; Systematic and integrated professional knowledge of English language and literature, interdisciplinary knowledge and professional skills; Strong logical thinking, critical awareness, innovative spirit, independent learning, lifelong learning and cooperative learning ability; Have strong cross-cultural communication skills, and the ability to carry out scientific research relying on new technologies such as digital intelligence. Graduates are mainly employed in foreign affairs, foreign trade, culture, education, communication, finance, Internet and other fields and industries, engaged in translation, teaching, scientific research, management, international exchange and communication, finance and other professional related jobs.

At present, based on the major platform, professional core, professional module and internship training, the major has established a complete, modular and systematic professional teaching framework. At the same time, it also offers English minor courses for the whole school. The core courses of this major are: Outline of Chinese Culture, History of World Civilization, Introduction to English Literature, English Literature, American Literature, Introduction to English Translation of Chinese Classics, Basic Interpretation, Translation Theory and Practice, General Linguistics, Introduction to English for Science and Technology.