Readers’ Blog
Think of Best Age for Starting English Training
Popularity 12|||
Think of Best Age for Starting English Training
Part One
The following is the latest news on October 21,2013 from China daily.
A new college entrance examination is in the making in many provinces in China. The English exam is in the firing line for reform. English listening tests in the college entrance examination will be stopped in Shandong province from next year. And the English test scores will be reduced in Beijing from 2015.
That is a good news for Chinese students.
English has become an international language is a product of the development of modern history of the world.That’s its historic background why English has become so popular and important worldwide.That’s an objective existent fact we can not deny.
Indeed it is pretty helpful when we go abroad studing,traveling or doing business.And it has been set for one of the most important subjects of the college entrance examination in China.
Therefore,its significance is obvious.
But this more or less determines that English-learning in China will inevitably turn out to be test-oriented to some extent.
We are obliged to pass all kinds of English examinations for a better future.Since we can not change the environment,what we can only do is change ourselves and adapt to it.
Since reform and opening up,English has made its way into China’s economic and social development.All Chinese students are learning English with full of passion and enthusiasm.The overall environment for English-learning is getting pretty good,which is much better than learning other second languages,such as Japanese,Russian,Korean, etc.
You can read news on Chinadaily,listen to the live broadcast CRI,and watch CCTV9,they are all in English version.And there are also a diverse range of English-version websites available in China.
I do not know whether the other countries designate a second language as a subject of the college entrance examination as China does.
And I believe in his article,he lays more emphasis on communication than passing the examination.But he ignore one important fact what Chinese student must face is English examinations.If not,they can not go to the university which they long for.
I totally agree with his second point the second language should be taught in the same way as their native language.Language is learned naturally by first listening, then speaking, then writing and lastly, reading. This is the natural way that every child on the planet learns a language.
Usually a second language is taught in in school in a totally different and quite unnatural sequence. They are taught to write, read, listening and then speak.
The English-learning process in China is unnatural,that’s an indisputable fact,we all Chinese know that,but what can be done?Do we have a better choince?Are we able to choose the natural way as we want to learn English?
The answer will be absolutely affirmative:NO!
Our economic conditions are not allowed.
Because most Chinese can not afford to have a foreign language teacher,even including most public schools in Chinese hinterland.
Let alone afford to travel around America,Britain and other places where the native languge is English for years like what foreignors do in China.
If we can do that,we will be able to speak English fluently and accurately without any problem.
Languages, however, need active participation and thus must be taught in very small classes - the smaller the better. It can not easily be taught in a class of 60 students or above.
we've found that the richer the school, the more importance English has. Because the students have wealthier parents who can afford to travel etc.
It is the realistic situation make English-learning much more difficult for us.
Whatever,there is no deny that we Chinese have studied English very well
It is inseparable from much time and energy which we have paid.
Anyway,the mastery of a language is not an easy thing,even for those foreignors who have much chances to travel around the world.I am wondering how much Chinese Michael can listen,speak,read and write.I am also curious about whether he can pass English subject of our college entrance examination.Maybe he is considering whether it is worth paying such price as Chinese did to learn Chinese,and for what purpose?
(Opinions of the writer in this blog don't represent those of China Daily.)
Comment Comment (37 comments)
- Reply Report KristaChen
- Good thinking and writing.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- Do we have a better choince?
choice
- Reply Report liu5222512
- Thanks for ur comment and encouragement.It part one,without enough hit rate means no readers,and no motivation and impetus to keep going to Part Two,he he.
KristaChen: Good thinking and writing.
- Reply Report KristaChen
- My daughter will turn to 3 years old next month. I didn't teach her English, However, she learnt some simple words and short sentences from her DVDs. I think we have many choices in learning English and we are able to learn in a natural way with the help of the multi-media.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- Do or do not,it depends on whether the teaching method is natural,scientific,feasible and reasonable.It is always hard to strike a balance.Interest is the best teacher.Learning Englhis for fun,this is good,if it brings her too much pressure or takes too much of her time for playing games,that is bad.
KristaChen: My daughter will turn to 3 years old next month. I didn't teach her English, However, she learnt some simple words and short sentences from her DVDs. ...
- Reply Report Raymond007
- For 4 years old baby, which is important between interesting and pressure? My son was 4 years old, he was intereasting in playing games or watching cartoon, but not sudying. sometimes I have to give him some pressure to write chinese or number (homework), he cry sometings.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- Thanks for your reading and comment.
Raymond007: For 4 years old baby, which is important between interesting and pressure? My son was 4 years old, he was intereasting in playing games or watching c ...
Just let him play as he want.
But too much time in playing electronic games on iPad or watching cartoon is not good,both are quite addictive even for an adult,let alone for a child.
Whereas it is a much easier way for parents to look after their children.
The more outdoor activities,the better.
Children education is big question.More pays for your child,more gains from your child in the future.
As he plays,you play with him,as he studies,you study with him.If you can accompany and interact with him from grade one all the way though high school and even college.
You are great!That is called great love dedication.
Above is my personal opinion.
I am not an education expert,just a street cleaner.hehe
In this regard,you'd better communicate more with KristaChen.She has a daughter the same age as your son.
- Reply Report Raymond007
- Thanks for your share about education: The more outdoor activities,the better. and More pays for your child,more gains from your child in the future.
liu5222512: Thanks for your reading and comment.
Just let him play as he want.
But too much time in playing electronic games on iPad or watching cartoon is not go ...
- Reply Report MichaelM
- Very good blog. Thank you for your fine feedback. I sincerely appreciate it. My blog was in no way to criticize Chinese students, Chinese schools, teachers or people. I would never do that. As I've mentioned many times, language (not just English in China) is taught in an unnatural sequence in almost every country including the United States. My Chinese abilities are about as good as a very small child. I've had no time to learn much Chinese because I came here to serve the Chinese students' need for learning English. I have regularly taught more than 30 classes a week teaching English. Much of my teaching has been for free because I believe that every Chinese child has the right to learn English if it is their desire to do so. I am presently talking with two local television networks about having a weekly show of me teaching English. I have told them that in Henan Province alone there are millions of children who cannot afford good oral English training. It is my heart and desire to help them. Both networks are very excited about doing this. I've told them that I want no money. I want to help Chinese students and people to learn English if that is their desire. I too wonder how well I would do on a college English exam even though most of formal education has been English. I came to China to help and to serve. That is my purpose for being here. Thanks again for your fine contribution.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- thanks for your statement,KIyer,Snowipine.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- yes,you are right,thanks for your comment,my pleasure.
Salut_F: what i can say,its never too old to learn
- Reply Report liu5222512
- Thanks for MichaelM's unselfish dedication for Chinese students and children.
1.I came here to serve the Chinese students' need for learning English.
I have regularly taught more than 30 classes a week teaching English.
Much of my teaching has been for free because I believe that every Chinese child has the right to learn English if it is their desire to do so.
2.I am presently talking with two local television networks about having a weekly show of me teaching English.
I've told them that I want no money.
3.I have told them that in Henan Province alone there are millions of children who cannot afford good oral English training.
It is my heart and desire to help them.
Both networks are very excited about doing this.
I want to help Chinese students and people to learn English if that is their desire.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- First,thanks for the selfless dedication you've done for the next hopeful Chinese generation.
MichaelM: Very good blog. Thank you for your fine feedback. I sincerely appreciate it. My blog was in no way to criticize Chinese students, Chinese schools, tea ...
Secondly,thanks for your reading and comment.
As a song goes: "As long as everyone sacrificed a little love, the world will be a beautiful place being full of love."
We chinese need much more international friends like you.Thanks for what you have done and contributed again.
I am English-learner too.
All of your articles are congent and coherent with simple words.
I will read every article you have written afterward,it is a must,I believe I can learn a lot from them.
In regard to my feedback,I think,it is just diffirent person have different opinions,I just say what I want.If it has offended you a little,here,I ask for your understanding.I did not mean it.
And you can just think a nobody expects to earn a little more hit rates with the help of 'celebrity effect' of yours.
The last paragraph of my blog,I admit I am just a bit curious.
Thanks again for your unselfish dedication for Chinese students and children.
- Reply Report MichaelM
- Liu,
liu5222512: First,thanks for the selfless dedication you've done for the next hopeful Chinese generation.
Secondly,thanks for your reading and comment.
As a song ...
You are quite welcome. No offense at all. I appreciate you my new friend.
Michael
- Reply Report MichaelM
- Liu,
I always want to be fair in my evaluation of education and how it can be better for students here in China. The average Chinese student is hard-working, sincere, academically disciplined, intelligent and very respectful. As I might have said, I teach a few classes per week at a local public high school. I have one class of students who would be a dream for any teacher in the world. These students are the most excellent I've every taught or witnessed in a classroom. I cannot imagine any students in any country in the world being better students than these. China does many, many things right (in my humble opinion) in their education. My students and colleagues at this school constantly praise me for my teaching there. However, the real praise should go to the students. No teacher can be a great teacher without great students. I'm honored to teach them and be called their teacher.
- Reply Report dolehowyee
- You are a great persin, but make sure those who need the show have television...
MichaelM: Very good blog. Thank you for your fine feedback. I sincerely appreciate it. My blog was in no way to criticize Chinese students, Chinese schools, tea ...
- Reply Report Raymond007
- It's said that: A strong man can save himself, a great man can save another!
MichaelM: Very good blog. Thank you for your fine feedback. I sincerely appreciate it. My blog was in no way to criticize Chinese students, Chinese schools, tea ...
MuchaelM you are welcome in chinnese child's heart.
- Reply Report MichaelM
- Thank you Raymond. You are very kind.
Raymond007: It's said that: A strong man can save himself, a great man can save another!
MuchaelM you are welcome in chinnese child's heart.
- Reply Report liu5222512
- Thanks for leaving your comment on my blog.
dolehowyee: You are a great persin, but make sure those who need the show have television...
All Other latest blogs of this author
Friends
Recent comments
-
Essay: My Baby I 2017-8-20 09:31
Very very sweet and lovey baby~
-
Who Killed Li Wenxing?-The World Outside Ivory Tower Is Complex 2017-8-9 12:59
You are right, here are lots of and diversified news reports in the Daily.