Chinese question craze for learning English
Print Edition
Though the word “promontory” may sound unfamiliar to many native English speakers, Luo Jia, a 13-year-old Chinese student, knows its meaning, spelling and the sentence in the textbook where it appeared.
Though more interested in science, the middle school student in Fujian Province attends English classes every weekend upon his mother’s order. The class teaches advanced English with a rich vocabulary containing words like “bedraggled,” “outlandish” and “parquet.”
Luo’s mother made a strong case for enrolling her son. “English is very important, whether he stays in China or goes abroad, so I prefer he spend extra hours on language study — whether he likes it or not.”
In China, English is among three compulsory “major subjects,” along with Chinese and mathematics, given equal importance in major exams. It is perhaps the most influential subject, considering the ubiquity of its exams and the gigantic market it has generated.
College graduates applying for post-graduate programs are all required to pass an English exam. Those exams are usually difficult, and the demand to pass has created a lucrative industry of test-prep schools and English training programs.
This fervor has aroused much controversy. Last month, Wang Xuming, former spokesman for the Ministry of Education, called for canceling English classes in primary schools to make way for Chinese classes.
And it was reported that eastern Jiangsu Province may exclude the English test from the college entrance exam.
This received widespread support from web users who have complained about the burden of English tests.
“Chinese students spend too much time learning grammar, but this kind of test-oriented English is of little use in real life,” microblogger “Youyouzi” said on Sina Weibo.
Chinese are now questioning the effect of the country’s English learning craze on improving students’ English skills other than in exams. Research by the Shanghai International Studies University shows that of China’s foreign language learners, fewer than 5 percent are capable of using the language proficiently.
But despite widespread opposition to the focus on exams, many experts and members of the public agree China should not reject English studies.
“English learning can broaden children’s horizons,” said Chen Weiping, father of an eight-year-old in Beijing. “It’s fine for primary school students to study English. Just don’t give them too many exams.”
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