Abstract: This study investigates the "strength" of academic word knowledge of non-Engl ish majors in Beihang University, which involves the four degrees of active reca ll, passive recall, active recognition and passive recognition respectively. The test results show that, as reported by Laufer and Goldstein, passive recall is the best predictor of the students' language achievement. This study also invest igates the students' vocabulary learning attitudes and strategies. Hence it is s uggested that in the further College English reform teachers should promote lear ner autonomy, direct extensive reading outside the classroom and emphasize the l anguage use by providing the students with more communicative activities.