Nanjing University, a top-tier institution in China’s Jiangsu province, has gained attention for an elective course titled “Oral Expression,” which includes an unconventional assignment requiring students to call strangers. Launched in 2015 by former television producer and director Xu Kai, the course is designed to help students develop confidence and public speaking skills.

The core of the assignment involves students initiating phone conversations with people they do not know. This exercise is intended to challenge the traditional Chinese cultural value of “do more, speak less,” which often encourages modesty and restraint in public interactions. By forcing students to step outside their comfort zones, the instructor aims to combat social anxiety and prepare students for professional environments where assertive communication is necessary.

While the course has become one of the most popular public electives at the university, it highlights a broader shift in Chinese higher education toward prioritizing soft skills. The curriculum reflects an effort to modernize student development, moving away from purely academic or rote learning toward practical, real-world social engagement. Students participating in the course report that the experience is challenging but ultimately rewarding, as it provides a structured way to practice spontaneity and resilience in communication. The university has not released data on the long-term success of these methods, but the course remains a staple of the institution's extracurricular offerings.