About China Holistic English
China Holistic English is a resource hub for ESL educators working in China and those interested in Chinese education policy. The site publishes articles on teaching strategies, curriculum reform, and the Holistic English approach — a methodology that integrates language learning with broader cultural and academic development.
With over 107 posts on teaching English in China, plus dedicated categories covering culture, politics, Chinglish, and teaching with movies, the site serves as both a practical guide and a forum for discussion among educators.
Topics range from classroom techniques to analysis of higher-education policy, including exam materials from institutions such as Harbin Institute of Technology.
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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.
Featured Exam Materials
In 2012, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) assigned take-home written final exams that asked students to reflect critically on their educational experience:
Senior Students (June 19–23, 2012) were asked: "What can the HIT administration do to create an ESE for you?" — prompting a 500-word minimum essay on the educational and social environment.
International Students (June 15–18, 2012) addressed: "What can the HIT administration do to enhance the social culture and the academic culture at HIT to make the educational experience of International Students better?"
These exam prompts exemplify the kind of reflective, student-centred pedagogy that Holistic English advocates.
Article Categories
107Teaching in China
47Teaching With Movies
47Announcements
41Culture
32Politics
20Holistic English
6Chinglish
6Products
5ESE
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.
A Comprehensive Resource for Educators
Whether you are a seasoned ESL professional or new to teaching in China, China Holistic English offers a wealth of material to support your work. The site brings together practical classroom strategies, policy analysis, cultural commentary, and a distinctive teaching methodology — all grounded in real experience within Chinese higher education.
From the Lowdown on China's Higher Education series to the China EFL: Curriculum Reform collection, the articles tackle the challenges and opportunities facing English educators in China today. The Teaching in China (Books) section and Holistic English Workbooks provide downloadable resources for classroom use.
To reach the site administrators, email 89bodrum@chinaholisticenglish.org or use the contact form above.