Less English?

English>>Education

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(China.org.cn) 09:09, October 31, 2013

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Perhaps the most dreaded event in the life of a young Chinese student is the "gaokao," the national entrance examination at the end of high school. Performance in the exam can determine the quality of the university the young person will attend and that, in turn, can have a profound effect on his or her success in later life. Preparation for the gaokao can be very stressful and, in some cases, is the student's sole focus during the final year of high school. For students who are simply not good at taking exams it can be a particularly unpleasant experience.

One subject that has been heavily stressed in the exam is English and for students who do not have an aptitude for languages that presents an additional burden. That may be about to change. Now comes word from the Beijing Education Examinations Authority that the emphasis being placed on English on the entrance exam may be reduced, beginning in 2016. So far, this is something that is up for discussion, but if the plan goes ahead the number of marks given for English knowledge will be reduced while marks in other areas, notably in Chinese, will be increased, thus changing the balance of what a student needs to prepare for. The theory, according to the Examinations Authority, is to place relatively more emphasis on Chinese learning and culture. This idea has drawn some criticism, suggesting that the two languages should not be placed into competition, but there is much more involved.

The idea for reducing the importance of English has been around for some time at the provincial level, but the announcement earlier this week from the Examinations Authority caught many people by surprise, and has sparked questions about the way in which English will be taught if and when the change takes place. In general, it seems to be viewed as a positive move and there are already indications of schools outside of Beijing reducing the number of hours each week devoted to English instruction. As one English teacher put it, it may open the door for teaching English in a more practical way instead of stressing technical points such as the difference between "which" and "that."

There is no question that learning English is vital in today's world. I have edited the English translations of several scientific papers, written originally in Chinese. The author, like most research scientists, wants his work published in the international scientific literature and the only way to do that is to publish in English. I have also edited an English textbook for use at the elementary school level in Beijing.

Students in China, unfortunately, must prepare to enter a world in which, for example, every ship entering a port or any commercial airliner landing at an airport anywhere on the globe must be able to do all of its communications in English. It is also a given that for China to pursue international trade with the major foreign powers such as America, English is a necessary skill. The change, promulgated by Beijing, is not an attempt to downplay the importance of English as a skill students need but rather a move to adjust the balance between the admitted importance of English as a second language (together with a greater understanding of the world and of foreign cultures) and an appreciation of China's rich history and the many wonderful things China has to offer.

According to Chu Zhaohui, a senior education researcher at the National Institute for Educational Sciences, the proposed changes to the emphasis on English are intended to shift the focus of English-language education, from being test-oriented to practical use. That would be a very positive step, but in my opinion there need to be other changes to go along with the tweaking of the education system.

Certainly the idea of having more practical ways of exposing students to English is important. One of the best ways to improve English-language skills is to read in English and this can also open a door to learning about the culture of English-language countries. Improving the availability of English-language books and magazines that offer insights into life in America, Australia, Canada and other places will help students improve their world-view and, at the same time, gain a better appreciation of what China has to offer.

China also has a history of blocking access to some Western Internet sites and, sooner or later, this should stop. It's true that there is a lot of junk on the Internet and many sites are repulsive. That said, they are all a part of the larger world and Chinese students should have the opportunity to see that world, warts and all. I am constantly amazed to hear students in China speak of America as almost a mystical place where everyone is rich and life is wonderful. It isn't true. While America has many things to recommend it, it also has a multitude of problems and Chinese students reading about it should see both sides.

It would also be nice if China, like Japan, had a program to encourage its young people to visit Western countries. Almost every day I see Japanese students touring in Canada but relatively few Chinese students can do this, which is unfortunate. We have a lot to teach each other and to learn from each other. Having an initiative to make the teaching of English in China less technical and more practical is a good move. I hope the rest of the evolution towards a better understanding of the West on the part of Chinese students will flow from it.

Brad Franklin is a former political reporter, newscaster and federal government employee in Canada. He is a regular columnist for China's English Salon magazine and lives on Vancouver Island.

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（Editor：ChenLidan、Gao Yinan）