This study probes into application of backward design principles to English Public Speaking teaching and learning in Chinese College. Theoretically and practically, it clarifies the principles of backward design and a process for course design of English Public Speaking. In order to explore the effectiveness of the method, the author made an action research with sophomores majoring in English with duration of one year. With the questionnaires and students interviews, the data analysis shows that the backward course design can reinvigorates classrooms, see increased motivation from students, improve students’ confidence in their learning and witness an increase in student engagement. The experiment provides evidence that backward design method is also beneficial to teacher career development in course design. This study probes into application of backward design principles to English Public Speaking teaching and learning in Chinese College. Theoretically and practically, it clarifies the principles of backward design and a process for course design of English Public Speaking. In order to explore the effectiveness of the method, the author made an action research with sophomores majoring in English with duration of one year. with the questionnaires and students interviews, the data analysis shows that the backward course design can reinvigorates classrooms, see increased motivation from students, improve students’ confidence in their learning and witness an increase in student engagement. The experiment provides evidence that backward design method is also beneficial to teacher career development in course design.