Based on the questionnaires for overseas students of grades 2014, 2015 and 2016 in Zhejiang University of Technology, the teaching method for the core course "basic principles and design of steel structure" has been discussed. The survey showed that, in the teaching for overseas students, there are many problems such as students' poor foundation in mechanics, teachers' weakness in teaching in English, obsolete teaching methods, poor integration between practice and theory as well as unreasonable assessment system, etc.. Based on the nature and characteristics of this course and the particularity of foreign students, the teaching effect of this course, in terms of the aspects in teaching goal, teaching contents, teaching materials, teaching methodologies, curriculum project design and examination evaluation system, has been discussed and analyzed to improve the teaching quality for overseas students and cultivate more international professional practical talents in civil engineering.