What We Cover

The site's articles are organised into focused categories, each addressing a distinct aspect of English education in China:

• Teaching English in China — practical strategies, classroom experiences, and policy analysis (107 posts).
• Culture — explorations of Chinese traditions, social norms, and cross-cultural communication (41 posts).
• Politics — commentary on education policy and its intersection with broader political currents (32 posts).
• Holistic English — the core methodology, including workbook references and pedagogical principles (20 posts).
• Teaching With Movies — using film as a language-learning tool in the EFL classroom (47 posts).
• Chinglish — examining the phenomenon of Chinese-English hybrid expressions (6 posts).

Announcements and product updates are also posted regularly, keeping readers informed of new materials and site developments.

Holistic English learning brings together language skills, cultural understanding, and personal growth in a way that isolated textbook study cannot. By weaving vocabulary and grammar into meaningful conversations about real-world topics, learners develop a deeper connection to the language. This approach encourages students to engage with English not just as an academic subject but as a living tool for expression, reflection, and cross-cultural dialogue. In the context of China, where English education often emphasizes rote memorization and test preparation, holistic methods offer a refreshing alternative that nurtures curiosity and confidence alongside measurable progress.

The intersection of language teaching and cultural exploration opens doors to richer classroom experiences. When educators incorporate Chinese traditions, social norms, and everyday life into English lessons, students find familiar ground from which to stretch toward new linguistic horizons. Film, literature, and discussion-based activities create natural opportunities for authentic communication, while attention to the political and policy dimensions of education helps teachers navigate the broader landscape in which learning happens. This layered perspective transforms English instruction into a dynamic exchange that respects both the learner's heritage and the global reach of the language.

The Holistic English Methodology

Holistic English is an approach to language instruction that treats English learning as inseparable from cultural understanding, critical thinking, and personal development. Rather than isolating grammar drills or vocabulary memorisation, it embeds language acquisition within meaningful academic and social contexts.

The site is the official home of Holistic English and offers workbooks and supporting materials for teachers who want to apply this methodology in their classrooms. Twenty dedicated posts explore its principles in depth, covering everything from lesson planning to assessment design.

Key themes include student-centred curriculum reform — captured in the phrase "Of, By and For the Students" — and the concept of an ESE (Educational and Social Environment) that supports holistic development.

EFL Resources & Links

China Holistic English maintains a curated directory of external resources for EFL teachers:

• Cambridge Scholars Publishing — academic publishing partner.
• China ESL Teachers Cafe — community and job board for ESL teachers in China.
• ESL Lounge — lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching materials.
• Linguistic Funland — a longstanding directory of linguistics and ESL resources.
• ESL All — aggregated ESL teaching resources.
• China Club (chinese-tools.com) — Chinese language and culture tools.
• Middlekingdomlife — a guide to living and working in China.

Visit the Downloads page for workbooks and teaching materials related to the Holistic English approach and the Teaching in China book series.