English is the native language of more than
10 nations, is the official language of more than 70 countries and this figure
is increasing at present. Also, English is the global language of academic
research, and perhaps 1,500 master's degrees are taught in English in countries
where the language has no official status, and China is no exception.
In my case, I had to begin studying
English when I was in 7th-grade, and my English score was as
important as the other subjects. Now, in China, children begin to study this foreign
language at nursery school. The reason why they have to do this is very simple: all entrance examinations include English and English score is as important as
Chinese. This is especially so in the most important examination which is called GaoKao [college entrance examination] in the whole life of every Chinese person. Viewed from this angle, English
is surely important.
Recently, there has been a lot of controversy about the English test in the GaoKao. The origin is that the government is considering taking the English part out of the GaoKao. Students who want or need to include English when applying for university may use test results from commercial providers such as TOEFL or IELTS.
According a survey of Chinese citizens. 41.2% of respondents strongly support this change of the English test in the GaoKao.
Recently, there has been a lot of controversy about the English test in the GaoKao. The origin is that the government is considering taking the English part out of the GaoKao. Students who want or need to include English when applying for university may use test results from commercial providers such as TOEFL or IELTS.
According a survey of Chinese citizens. 41.2% of respondents strongly support this change of the English test in the GaoKao.
Those in favor say
that this change may be helpful to select various talents. As a tool subject, English should not become the important standard of
select talents. In China, many people who study English do not do so for interest or need. Rather, they do it
simply in order to enter a better middle school, high school or college. They have no other choices but study the language which is useless in
their life. If the English test was excluded from GaoKao, they can use their energy to focus on the subjects that they enjoy, are good at and want to engage in lifelong. Also, even if their English is not good enough, the possibility that they will be admitted to study their favorite major still may be enlarged.
Moreover, this change will help to
encourage pure English education. This is because if the English test of GaoKao is abolished,
students would not need to study English for scores; they could focus on practical
application. Then, learning can serve to satisfy students’ needs and the
education would change following the change of focus
away from testing.
On the other hand, 25.6% of the people in the survey had counter-views. First of all, universities using the grade of social examination instead of the scores of the English test in GaoKao will cause a gap of knowledge between rich and poor. The competition for entering better universities is so intense that every student might try their best to gain a higher grades in the commercial English examination. Then, if economic conditions permit, private education will be popular and students may take it several times. On the other hand, students from low-income households may not be able to pay for private education or take the examination more times because of the high cost.
In my opinion, changing the test won’t do much. Chinese people have to change the way they think. They need to view learning for learning sake, not just as a way to increase the score.
On the other hand, 25.6% of the people in the survey had counter-views. First of all, universities using the grade of social examination instead of the scores of the English test in GaoKao will cause a gap of knowledge between rich and poor. The competition for entering better universities is so intense that every student might try their best to gain a higher grades in the commercial English examination. Then, if economic conditions permit, private education will be popular and students may take it several times. On the other hand, students from low-income households may not be able to pay for private education or take the examination more times because of the high cost.
In my opinion, changing the test won’t do much. Chinese people have to change the way they think. They need to view learning for learning sake, not just as a way to increase the score.