Debate rages as China seeks to reduce emphasis on English language education

Reading Time:2 minutes

Mainland students take English proficiency exams. Photo: Sinopix

Published: 9:38pm, 21 Oct 2013

Education reforms seeking to reduce the emphasis on English in college entrance exams have sparked debate online.

Starting from 2016, Beijing authorities will reduce the 150-point English examination in college entrance exams to 100 points, while at the same time raising the number of points attributed to Chinese and mathematics, the affiliated website of China’s Communist Party newspaper Guangming Daily reported on Monday citing an education reform proposal.

Quoting a source at the Beijing Education Examinations Authority, the report said the proposal also suggested the removal of English entirely from the curriculum before grade three.

The measures are designed to “focus on English-language application and basic skills, while playing down its selection function,” the website cited the source as saying.

The revelation comes amid calls in recent years to place a greater focus on Chinese in the curriculum and to lessen the emphasis on English.

Online comments on news portal Sina.com showed an overwhelmingly positive response from online users – many of whom appeared to be parents of students.

“For millions of college entrance exam takers, how many actually use the English they learnt in their jobs? Learning English is an enormous waste of effort, resources and money. I strongly recommend having it as an elective course …” read a comment that had drawn over 1,800 likes on news portal Sina.com.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x