English -- not a prerequisite to internationalization

China has witnessed a surge of enthusiasm for English language learning since College English Tests (CET) Band 4 and Band 6 were introduced in 1980s. It is undeniable that English has helped internationalize Chinese talent. It is not necessary, however, to require all Chinese people learn English in pursuit of internationalization. The essential prerequisites for success in internationalization are the criteria that should be addressed first.

Foreign language learning is not essential for internationalization

There is a popular saying in Chinese society that those who cannot speak English will have difficulty surviving in a world where international exchanges are increasingly frequent. Reportedly, an old Chinese old lady in Hebei Province has been bouncing between China and the US on arts exchanges. She knows very few Chinese characters, let alone English. The reason for her exchange is her mastery of paper-cutting, a Chinese traditional art. Her example makes it clear that internationalization is not dependent on language, rather the competitiveness of a nation in anything from technology and art to culture and society. This competitive edge is much more important than foreign language proficiency.

Chinese residents were not expected to learn any foreign languages in the Tang Dynasty's (618--907 BC) capital, Chang'an (today known as Xi'an in Shaanxi Province), a much more internationalized metropolis than many Chinese cities at present. Today, other countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Japan, are much more internationalized than China, however English learning is not as popular in these countries and so fewer are proficient. Obviously English language competency is not a necessity for internationalization.

An overemphasis on learning English will have a negative impact on China's course of internationalization. China places too much importance on learning English. English proficiency has become a standard for assessing a student or a professional. English is also a skill a scholar or researcher must master before embarking on a career. It is a trap for many Chinese. This phenomenon has emerged as a consequence of China's accelerated internationalization and resulted in an enormous waste of resources, even a national crisis. This English language obsession may in fact hinder the process of internationalization.

English teaching has become a new industry in China. It attracts consumers by all possible means -- from textbooks to audio and video products, from native speaker teachers to English summer camps. Chinese people spend tens of billions of yuan on learning English each year. This is a great waste of resources. With all this money, China could provide millions of poor students with educational opportunities and build tens of thousands of social projects beneficial to the general public.

Chinese people, no matter what profession, have no choice but to spend a great deal of time memorizing English words and grammar to pass examinations or get the qualifications necessary for promotion. They tend to forget what they have learned once they have achieved their goals. Even young students with good English skills complain they have forgotten the language after graduating and spending a few years working in jobs that don't require English. This is a waste of human resources. Chinese society has no need for so many English language professionals. Even if China is completely internationalized in the future, it would be impossible for the country to provide enough English-related jobs for all the English language professionals it presently aims to produce.

Nowadays, few Chinese people have much enthusiasm for calligraphy, traditional poems and other Chinese arts. Instead, they want to speak fluent English so they can communicate freely with people from other countries. They look up to and envy those with excellent English skills but look down upon those who are committed to learning traditional arts. This is a terrible phenomenon and will have a negative outcome. In the future, it is possible that many Chinese will know little about their country's unique arts and cultural achievements. A sense of national pride and identity will be lost. If this happens, China's national culture will stop developing and China may lose the capital for internationalization.

Let the market decide how many English language professionals China should produce.

Not everyone is good at language learning or articulating their thoughts. Even some of the world's most famous academics and thinkers cannot express themselves clearly. China should not make English proficiency an essential criterion for evaluating talent, nor should it place so great an emphasis on it that it becomes the primary goal of education. Chinese society should consider English language learning rationally. The country does not need such specific and rigid standards of English proficiency for people.

If the market is allowed to determine how many English language professionals society needs, only those who demonstrate an interest and have an aptitude for it will go on to become English language professionals. These professionals will then play an essential role in international exchange. Those who are not interested in language learning can devote their energies to something more suitable. With the help of language professionals, it will be no problem for them to communicate with the outside world. This would allow China to make substantial progress in its course to success and internationalization.

Written by Guo Haiying, research scholar of English in Hebei Province and translated by People's Daily Online