Debate resumes in China over English’s status as a core subject
Debate has resumed in China over the possible downgrading of English as a core school subject. The discussion was prompted by posts from mathematics teacher Tang Jiafen, who called for English to be stripped of this status, the South China Morning Post reports.
Teacher’s call
Tang Jiafen is known for preparing students for the national entrance examination for master’s programs. On social media, he said that children, parents and schools devote a disproportionate amount of time and resources to English. In his view, the language has limited practical value for the work of most people.
The teacher publicly called for English to be stripped of its status as a core subject. He also claimed that no country in the world gives English such a high position in its education system.
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The role of English in schools
Tang said that Chinese children are encouraged to study English intensively before they master their own language. He called English a tool that is sufficient to know how to use and urged, in his words, an end to “the worship of everything foreign”.
The teacher’s statement has once again brought renewed attention to the long-running discussion about the role of English in Chinese schools.
