INTRODUCTION
At any given moment there are twice as many Chinese learning English as there are citizens of the U.S.A. English instruction begins in kindergarten and continues into postgraduate study, for both English majors and non-English majors. Everyone in China must study English. Local variants of English such as Chinglish and Chinese English are discouraged as inappropriate. Students are placed under extreme pressure to “master” English. National English competency exams are a predicate to further study or employment. China employs more than 150,000 native English speakers to teach English in its schools. Some programs encourage Chinese learners of English to locate foreigners on the street and run up to them and yell “Hello” in the foreigner’s face. This crazy approach is predicated upon the belief that the only way to improve your English is to engage with a native English speaker. Teaching English as a Foreign Language in China is predicated upon 4 GREAT LIES.
1. FIRST LIE – YOU MUST MASTER ENGLISH
Every Chinese learner of English is instructed that they must “master” English.
Due to the inordinate influence of the British Council on English learning in China, most Chinese students of English own the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary or Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. These are also the most available dictionaries in school libraries and book stores throughout China.
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In my respects, I think that the strategy all Chinese must master English is not very good. In China, you must have a very good achievement if you want to learn in top university. It is unfair for most of the students in rural areas as a result of the lack of good English teacher. Also, many students who may be very clever and good at other subjects such as maths and physics will lose the chance to further education only because they have a bad English achievement. That policy every student has to learn English in China would cause a giant loss to China.
One of my teachers once said:” In China our students are required to speak English fluently, and we also required to own perfect pronunciation and grammar. However, when you enter foreign companies, you will find that their requirement for you is not as high as our country for you. They just hope you can communication with others freely in English” Indeed, we only want to maser English, so we just know memorize new words and grammars. But we forget that the purpose of studying language is to communicate with others in that language, rather than pass some examination. So I think the focus of studying in China should be speaking in English.
I think sometimes we learn English which seems to have changed his nature. Mastering English even sometimes become an obstacle for us to choose work or continue to study. I think we learn English in order to master the English language skills well, in order to communicate with others better. We can’t take it as a kind of burden or as a test pressure to learn to take the high scores.
Yes, I am 100% behind you in this view. Language is just a tool of communicating. It’s not everything. So even those people who can only speak some broken English, as long as they dare to speak and think more in English can communicate well with others in English. As we all know, practice makes a man perfect. So as long as we speak more English, think more in English, as well as listen more English, we can use it very well, whether we have talked with English native speakers. In fact, the true and final purpose for us to learn any kind of language is helping us to communicate better with people from different counties or different cultures.
We all know that English plays a great role in the world for communication among people form different countries. So we Chinese people pay a lot of attention to English. But the result is not partial to our effort. Why? In my opinion, most people learn English are just for the exams. There is no interest to say. So, it is hard to avoid the low efficiency. At the same time, we known, language is just for communicate, and there is no the right environment. What we have learned is dumb English. While, there are many other reasons, I do not want to list them one by one. If we want to have a great improvement of our English, first and the important, we must love English. Except that, we must speak a lot and create the environment by ourselves.
I still remembered the professor told us that we couldn’t master English and we didn’t need to master it. If we can use and speak it fluently, maybe it’s a great progress. Moving the lies out of our mind is what we should do now.
The first time I heard the phrase master English is when I was still a middle school student. It was the name of my exercise book in the subject English. Well, the name misled us, and indeed “mastered” English. Well, more precisely, we only mastered what’s going to be tested, and left everything that would never appear in exam papers ignored. This is a severe problem indeed, because Chinese student were force to take exams; but the exams can not reflect their abilities accurately! If the meaning of the word “master” is not included in exams, I believe most middle and high school students will never try to find it out. This was just the case, because most of us believe that the meaning of “master” is just doing something very well, better than most people.
Well, we don’t need to master English; actually, we never can. I believe that if we can communicate with other people in English without much difficult and misunderstandings, we already reach our goals.
I think the purpose of learning English is communication. So I think is not necessary for us to master English, let alone we can’t master English. So we just need to speak our Chinglish and enjoy the fun which communication takes to us. So this is the charm of language. If we always think of mastering English, maybe we always take it as a assignment and be afraid of it. So just let us speak English and enjoy it.
There is no Standard English just like you saying. Today I just watched a video on the web. It showed that a Chinese exchange student how to conquer all the honored guests including the vice- president Biden in a party (I forgot what party it was). He was so funny and agile (I didn’t use the word humorous following you), like a comic dialogue actor in China that the audiences laughed once five seconds. But, his spoke pure Chinglish, which was so far away from American accent. Comparing with his perfect speech, his accent was neglected completely. During his speech, he never showed any shame of his accent, instead, only confidence. He impressed me very much. I can’t agree with your opinion any more now —— there is no standard English, which also gives me confidence.
Since I first touched English in the middle school, my teachers told me that “Chinglish is not good” from time to time. I did not thought there is any problem in this idea although I always said Chinglish. When I heard the professor said “Chinglish is ok” for the first time I was surprised. However, I think he is right. There is no standard English. If British English and American English are all right, why Chinglish can not be permitted?
Obviously English is important.For example,almost most top academical journals are published in English.So if you want to learn frontiers of knowledge,it’s a better way to read papers written in English than that written in Chinese.However,our government pays too much attention to the students’ learning of English.English is just a tool,Physics and Chemistry are more important than it,but we assign less amount time to students to learn them.And it is so foolish to design English instruction in kindergarten.
When we refer to the word “master”, generally we mean the owner of a slave or an animal or the act of overcoming or defeat. It sounds like a little bit hegemony performed by a superpower country over a weak country. The word “master” undoubtedly admits the English as authority and is willing to surrender the power. But actually, it is not so, the aim we learn English is to communicate with the foreigners to have a mutual study in the advanced fields. Knowing each other is good for both of two countries to take the essence and discard the dregs. Language functions as a link among different people and serves as an important role in bridging the gap among different countries. So we’d better correct the lie in order to have a more clear understanding of the English.
All of us know that learning English is just to communicate with others.However, as a fact,we often don’t refer English as a commonication tool,but regards it as a course in our chinese school.Most chinese who could not speak English a little before go to foreign countries such as USA,they can also talk with others in English very well.This reflect that learning a language should has a good environment.If we are throwed into an English pool where people just speak English,we have to force ourselves to speak English.If do that,why don’t we improve our oral English ?In short,we need somewhat learning environment to execise English.what’more,we should not take “houw much grammar and pronunciation you have possessed “ as a standard to weiht if a student has mastered English.
In my view, the Chinese people always take mastering English seriously. Language is a tool for learning knowledge easily and communication with each other from different countries. If you relax and enjoy yourself in learning English, you will find that mastering English is not difficulty. Maybe you can describe it’s a piece of cake. Of course, we should study grammar and vocabulary very carefully. If not, we will make mistake or become silent English speakers. So I think the attitude decide impact.
“‘Master’ English, the only way to improve your English is speaking to native speaker, chinglish is no good, everyone needs to learn English”, these four requirements have affected us greatly. Under these four standards we just feel pressure and our target is to passing the examination. We are required to learn English, but not those we like and we are willing to learn English. Your attitude will decide your results. So it is always that we can get very high score in the examination, but we can’t speak or write comprehensible English. Our brain is filled with vocabulary, grammar, set phrases etc, but we always find it difficult to open our mouth or can’t express our meaning rightly. We should learn English with our heart and interesting. And speak to someone no matter where he is from. The goal of all of us is improving our English and speaking English fluently. Just like the first class the teacher taught us “steel sharpens steel”.
From I start to learn English, I was told that Chinglish is not acceptable. Speaking Chinglish means stupid, weak in learning, even humiliates our Chinese. However I just speak Chinglish for I don’t excel in English-speaking culture. Such information denies my willing to speak English, fearing that others may laugh at my Chinglish. Now I know that Chinglish is fine because speaking Chinglish can make myself clear as well. Dare to speak is more important and practice makes perfect. Maybe I can speak English rather than Chinglish someday.
There used to be a book with a name” Never Study English but Learn” which sold very well during the past few years in China when I was a high school student. This book tells us that English should not be studied, because it’s neither science nor arts. English should be learnt by speaking, listening and reading, not by thinking. I think it has the same essence with this article. It points out this erroneous way and shows us a right way which I quite agree with.
“You must master English!”Let us rethink this saying we have believed all the time.Can we really “master” a foreign language?My opinion is “NEVER”.I have two points for the opinion.Firstly,language is culture.One Language is spoken by a group of people who share the common culture.The connotation of speech which expressed by language,can be exactly understood by native speakers.We can learn to speak a foreign language,but we can never “master” it.Because “master” means you control and know everything about a language,you can express yourself freely by using a foreign language,and,you understand the connotation of it.But actually,we can’t comprehend a language more better than a native.Languages are misunderstanding at the very first time when we translate it to our own language in a certain extent.Maybe anthropologists have the same experience of this trouble.Speaking natives’ language dosen’t mean totally understanding them.Secondly,Language is just an instrument for communication.We learn to speak English in order to communicate with foreigners more convenient.The goal of English-learning is to make your speech or articles be understood.That’s all.
As we all know, English plays a great role in the world. So it is necessary for our developing countries to learn more English to understand its local conditions and customs. Of course, it is not wise for everybody to master English.
I like to learn English and hope to use it freely.Because I am a postgrade student and I need to read papers written by foreign researchers.I can acquire the newest and advanced academic information from those papers and my academic views are broaden enormously.I am limited in Chinese research if I am not exposure to magazines,books in English.Therefore,it is necessary to master English for postgradutes and researchers.However,some work do not need English ,it is too strictly to elect a work candidate through his English ability.With the rapid process of globalization.,English will become the world language in the nearly future.So,it is wise for a person to learn English as early as possible.What is more,that is a good way to enhance understand among different countries ,races and overcome the language barrier if the world use the same language .
The article makes me think of the lecture which professor gave us at the beginning of this semester. To be honest,I don’t like my English teacher to tell me a lot of boiling English grammars. Actualy, We can’t not amdit the fact that certain grmmar knowledge is necessary in learning a langaue. However, the exam and education system in China emphasize the grammar too much and sometimes make students lose interest. Frankly speaking,The enjoyment from study is the best motivation for students to go on study.Therefore, if you were a English teacher,don’t force your students to master English, but trying some new ways to motivate his interest in English.
Frankly speaking, I don’t think I can master English and I don’t plan to master English. I started to learn Chinese English from middle school in the rural area. In fact, many Chinese just speak Chinese English in my opinion, even if they don’t admit it. There is no fault to pursue perfection. However, it may be inappropriate if this pursuit is beyond the limits. I agree that Chinese English is OK, but it doesn’t mean a so-so attitude. With this right attitude towards English learning, we can learn it and use it more freely, without unnecessary worry and anxiety.
I agree with the views of the article.I do not think all Chinese students must be required to master the English language.Because personal interests,talents and other conditions are different,not everyone in China can have a good command of English. Many people spent most of the time to learn English,but the result is that they still can’t master English and other lessons are also delayed. What’s more,I also do not think we have to speak in standard English.As I know,Singapore is a country whose official language is English.However,Singaporeans speak Singapore English which is similar to Chinglish and only use standard English as written language.
From my point of view, whether Chinglish is good or bad depends on how we use it. According to WIKIPEDIA, Chinglish is a portmanteau of the words Chinese and English and refers to spoken or written English which is influenced by Chinese. There are some classical examples of Chinglish, such as “long time no see”, “good good study，day day up” and “standing flower”, etc.
For a Chinese beginner in learning English, it is most possible to use Chinglish. I do think it is a way to help learn English quickly. In such a case, Chinglish is no bad. On the other hand, for a student whose major is English, he or she is required to learn pure English. In this instance, Chinglish’s function is limited.
In this term, we have talked much about the ways of Chinese learning English. In order to improve our English, we try many ways and even get some advices from others. However it didn’t yield good results. It’s time for us to reflect on the method of teaching English in China. As the author says, teaching English as a Foreign Language in China is predicated upon 4 great lies. Only when we realize where the problems are, could we know how to look on English as a foreign language and how to improve our English.
As you say that every Chinese student should learn English. When we entered into Middle school, we learned words, expressions and grammar. Our middle school teachers always were Chinese. They studied English in their universities and most of them majored English. Since in middle school, we knew that it was very helpful to heighten the total examination’s score if we could studied English well. Because English is an obligatory course and has high proportion in the entrance exam. It is as important as math and Chinese course.
We also need to study English when we enter into a college, because it is favorable for us to read English papers that we need to study. Also it is subservient to find a job in foreign invested companies. So we need to pass CET-4 and CET6 that are Basic English certificates and will be written in our resume. No matter what a company can really come in handy English, it requires job hunters offer the English certificates.
In my view, we need to study English purposeful and interested.we maybe study English due to our demand. For instance, one person who study computer is needn’t master medicine glossary.
Last two days, I sit in on a meeting of The Second International Conference on Advanced Textile Materials & Manufacturing Technology. The meeting’s main language is English, though most of people in the meeting is Chinese, they were trying to communicated with each other in English, though most people use Chinglish in their presantation, everyone try to understand their point rather than laugh.
It is another important lesson to me, the most important thing isn’t how great your speaking English is, is that your attitude to speak, to learn and the hard work you are doing.
Yes, nowadays learning English becomes more important and is filled with pressure. Students begin their English study in kindergarden. Sometimes maybe we give too much emphasize on English. In the world of economic globalization, we should learn English and use it as a tool to communicate with foreigners.As long as we can communicate with people and they can understand,Chinglish is also OK.
From my point of view, whether Chinglish is good or bad depends on how we use it. To be honest,I don’t like my English teacher to tell me a lot of boiling English grammars. Actualy, We can’t not amdit the fact that certain grmmar knowledge is necessary in learning a langaue. Frankly speaking,The enjoyment from study is the best motivation for students to go on study.Therefore, if you were a English teacher,don’t force your students to master English, but trying some new ways to motivate his interest in English.
Learning English is very common in China.It starts from childhood.Beceause the English is very important when they want to find their job in the future.But I think it is not necessary that every people should learn English , because they will not use English at all in their future career.So it wastes of their time.It is more meaningful for those people to learn other things by using the time they spent learning English.
You know, there are many countries speaking English, nowadays with the rapid development of the various cooperation in the nations, more and more speaking English fluently people turn up, the English produce a great influence on our work, study and everyday life, this situation need us really master the English, we must be responsible for oursleves, it’s our the future, so we should be carefully.