Since entering the new era, in the face of the changing international situation, China is faced with both development opportunities and challenges. How to cultivate English talents to meet the needs of national development and national rejuvenation in the new era has become an urgent problem to be solved in English education in China. The application of applied linguistics to English teaching in colleges and universities plays a positive role in promoting the innovation of English teaching concept and teaching mode in colleges and universities and the improvement of teaching efficiency and quality. This requires college English teachers to master the relevant concepts and connotations of applied linguistics, and clarify the content scope of applied linguistics and the value of practical application. This paper will focus on the analysis of the current situation of English teaching in colleges and universities, and on the basis of the concept and scope of applied linguistics, put forward some practical application strategies, hoping to provide a reference for the innovation of teaching mode and teaching methods of English curriculum in colleges and universities.

Facing the digital economy era, considerable attention is paid to the importance of understanding the fundamental impact on the information and development of blended teaching methods regarding the higher education. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to answer the challenges brought by the digital economy era, identify the effective teaching methods which would be used in English Correspondence course in the era of digital economy, aiming to form the patterns of learning, provide high motivation, strength and knowledge, and most importantly contribute to the complex competences of future working. For further research, it is expected to be able to prove that using the blended teaching methods will effectively improve students’ communication skills and learning efficiency, enhance students’ learning experience and critical thinking skills.