How do we say 'Bye bye' to English(2)

PAINTED WITH POLITICS

The first decline of English in China came in the 1950s, when the language was painted with political colors.

After the New China was founded in 1949, the government established a close relationship with the Soviet Union and China was isolated by Western powers. The high status of English was overturned as schools only taught one foreign language: Russian.

In 1956, Premier Zhou Enlai called for the strengthening of translations of foreign books to help China's science development. More people were recruited to learn English, French and German. By the end of that year, 23 universities across China offered English as a major.

A decade later, the number was 74. Moreover, English was officially confirmed as the priority foreign language in a plan of the national educational authority in 1964.

However, the education system was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, when English textbooks were full of translations of Chairman Mao's Quotations.

GOLDEN TIMES

English benefited in the reform and opening-up policy from 1978. Chinese were encouraged to go abroad to study and come back to contribute the country's modernization.

Overseas returnees, who could speak English fluently and see what was going on outside the long-closed country, were viewed as "gilt-edged", drawing wealth and admiration. They were highly sought after in the job market and had influence in all walks of life.

In 1984, English was listed as a priority test subject in the gaokao.

"On the one hand, English was needed to cultivate talents with international vision, and promote China' s openness," said Xiong Bingqi, an education scholar. "On the other hand, English had become a test for selecting talents."

English testing still continues after the school years. Adults also have to pass various English tests at work to win promotions, further qualifications and higher salaries.

As a result, English has become a utilitarian exercise. Private training companies, which teach students tricks to pass tests, have sprung up.

The Ministry of Education says 50,000 companies specialize in English training, with the value of the market estimated at 30 billion yuan (almost $5 billion).

English classes in school have been criticized for stressing grammar and vocabulary over listening and speaking. Students are taught to score well in tests rather than master communication.

A survey by Shanghai International Studies University revealed that fewer than 5 percent of Chinese who had learned English could communicate smoothly in English without stumbling.

Chu Chaohui, a researcher with the National Institute of Education Sciences, points out that English was long regarded in China's education system as "knowledge", rather than a "language", which undermines principles of language acquisition.