The course Introduction to Linguistics aims at fostering students' rational understanding of human languages, fortifying students' linguistic and cultural awareness and critical thinking ability, and developing students' language research awareness and interest. The article analyzes the status quo of Introduction to Linguistics teaching in some local colleges and universities in China, elaborates the application of project-based research-oriented learning to Introduction to Linguistics teaching in X University from the aspects of teaching design, teaching implementation and teaching assessment, examines its teaching effects through a case study involving students' cognition and experience of the learning mode, the impact on students' knowledge acquisition and ability development, and students' evaluations about the teaching mode. The paper provides some pedagogical implications from the perspectives of teachers and students.