The core courses of geotechnical engineering discipline, as a very practical course, are prone to the separation between theory and practice in classroom teaching. After years of exploration and teaching practice, a case teaching model based on ability training is gradually established. By focusing on the selection of "native cases" and creating "immersive and empathy" classroom situations, the students can be better involved in the case analysis under the instructions of the teachers. Their interests in the case study and the classroom teaching are also stimulated, and the effect of classroom teaching is therefore improved.