Bold and Controversial Move: Leading Chinese University Eliminates English Tests, Igniting Nationalist Support
A leading Chinese university has eliminated English tests for graduation, reigniting the debate on the role of English in the country's education system amidst growing nationalist sentiment under Xi Jinping
Sign up for CNN's Meanwhile in China newsletter to gain insights into the country's ascent and its global impact. Scrapping English tests as a graduation requirement by a prestigious university in northwest China has reignited a contentious discussion on the role of the world's dominant language in the country's education system. This comes after a surge in nationalist sentiment during Xi Jinping's leadership.
Xian Jiaotong University in the capital city of Shaanxi province made a notice on Wednesday, stating that students will no longer be required to pass a nationwide standardized English test or any other English exams in order to obtain their bachelors degrees. This announcement sparked a significant response on social media, with numerous individuals commending the decision and urging other universities to follow suit.
A comment with over 24,000 likes on the microblogging site Weibo expressed approval and the hope that other universities will adopt a similar policy. The comment pointed out that it is ridiculous for Chinese individuals to have to validate their academic degrees with a foreign language test. On Thursday, a related hashtag on Weibo garnered over 350 million views. Although the government has never made it an official policy, passing the College English Test has been a graduation requirement at most Chinese universities for many years.
Chinese universities have traditionally emphasized the importance of English, recognizing it as the dominant language in academia and scientific fields worldwide. This emphasis became particularly significant as China transitioned from its isolated and impoverished past, seeking to catch up with the developed world after the tumultuous era of Mao Zedong. However, there has been a recent shift in some universities, with a decrease in the significance placed on English. This is evident through the replacement of the national College English Test with in-house examinations and, in extreme cases like Xian Jiaotong University, the complete removal of English qualifications as a graduation requirement.
After the university's announcement, a nationalist influencer with 6 million online followers wrote on Weibo, stating that while English is important, it has lost some of its significance due to China's development. The influencer expressed the need for foreigners to now focus on learning Chinese.
China's downgrade is linked to its growing nationalist and inward focus under Xi's leadership. Xi has urged the nation to enhance "cultural confidence" and resist "Western influence." Consequently, educational institutions have enforced policies prohibiting the use of Western textbooks and discussions on "Western values" like democracy, press freedom, and judicial autonomy.
English teaching in classrooms has also experienced attempts to diminish its significance. In Shanghai, China's most cosmopolitan city, authorities implemented a ban in 2021 that prohibits elementary schools from conducting English language final exams. This decision was made with the intention of alleviating the academic pressure on students.
Proposed by certain lawmakers and government advisers, there have been suggestions to eliminate English as a compulsory subject in schools and exclude it from the country's university entrance exams. On the other hand, in Taiwan, situated on the opposite side of the strait, the government has introduced a comprehensive strategy for the island to achieve bilingualism by 2030.
Martha Zhou/CNN
English names in Beijing's subway are being replaced with romanized Chinese ahead of the Winter Olympics. China made English a mandatory subject in primary and secondary schools in 2001, coinciding with its entry into the World Trade Organization.
The education ministry praised the requirement as a key component of a national strategy aimed at modernizing Chinese education and embracing global and future challenges. However, for certain progressive Chinese individuals, the reduced emphasis on English symbolizes China's shift towards inwardness and a stronger grip on ideological control.
A comment on Weibo emphasized the importance of having cultural confidence while acknowledging that it should not be mistaken for cultural arrogance, narrow-mindedness, or being shortsighted.
Another Weibo user asserted that the ability to comprehend the world necessitates knowledge of the English language, emphasizing that this fact cannot be obscured by nationalist sentiments.
Others celebrated the decision to eliminate English exams at universities due to practical reasons, asserting that it was a pointless and energy-draining endeavor since individuals rarely utilize the language in their everyday lives or post-graduation careers. Additionally, they argued that artificial intelligence and machine translation can effectively assist when the need for English arises.
However, a dissenting opinion emerged, emphasizing the significance of English as the primary language used in the world's top academic journals, specifically in the fields of science and technology.
A Weibo user mentioned that although it is not necessary to connect it with graduation, it is crucial not to underestimate the significance of English. In today's era, lacking proficiency in English can lead to setbacks in the realms of science and technology.
