With the implementation of the New Liberal Arts Initiative in China’s universities, the development of tertiary foreign language education has become a subject of discussion. This paper argues that the New Liberal Arts Initiative calls for a new model of tertiary foreign language education with innovative curricula and teaching modes. Under the guidance of “telling China’s stories well”, the new model of tertiary foreign language education works within the framework of National Standards of Teaching Quality for Undergraduate Foreign Language and Literature Majors and Teaching Guide for Undergraduate Foreign Language and Literature Majors, and aims at cultivating talents to promote China’s international communication. Foreign language teachers should embrace the idea of the New Liberal Arts Initiative, and take proactive steps to explore new methods of talent cultivation for foreign language majors in the new era.