TESOL

Human Development in East Asia Pacific region.

National Teaching English as a Second Language Program (TESOL) in Chinese Tertiary Educational Institutions.

English, as a communication tool, is playing an extremely significant role in cross-cultural communication nowadays. Chinese government had a clear understanding of it back to the 190th century, when men from newly-created diplomatic corps were trained English skills in the first English language school. In the past twenty years the tendency to study English as a second language (ESL)has been increasing rapidly. ESL program became countrywide in the last decade of the 20th century and gave birth to controversial evaluation and different views towards its future prospects. ESL became a 10-billion Yuan business in China, with the total amount of the 25% market –share books sold. Some teachers in Shanghai have an hourly rate per 1000 Yuan/hour. China annually recruits 100000 Foreign Experts .In 2001 Beijing alone gave the profit of 700 million Yuan in this industry.

AT first sight, it appears impressive and that China invests so much in this project. What are the reasons for it?

Rapid social and economic changes in China have brought about discussions on the restructuring of ELT programs at the tertiary level of education. Unlike the traditional classrooms which mainly focused on “language,” ESL programs today are required to prepare students who will serve different sectors of the economy. This will contribute to the needs of economic development.(tesol symposium)

HOWEVER,ITS worth mentioning that studying English doesn’t have to be treated merely linguistic or economic, but rather a potential dynamic force, including social factors and politics and could lead to social transfo...

... middle of paper ...

...polls and discussions among students and staff in several Shandong and Hunan colleges I worked in, to pass the exam becomes only one goal to be achieved. Wolff and Qiang explain how the Chinese society traditional values could turn out to be a reason for cheating and corruption cases during the exams. From the Han period to 20th century civil servants had to undergo Imperial examinations. This was a key to a person’s life success or failure and involved a great deal of pressure.(wolff p70).It proved a breeding ground for ”guanxi” or “personal connections”

Communist leaders have implemented a number of community laws based on Marxism, and made efforts in strengthening collective moral standards. China is still developing its social society, not only its economy. Political education replaced moral, thus become a useful tool to change the society’s attitude and ideals.