Article published In:
Multilingual, Globalizing Asia: Implications for policy and educationEdited by Lisa Lim and Ee-Ling Low
[AILA Review 22] 2009
► pp. 85–102
Edited by Lisa Lim and Ee-Ling Low
[AILA Review 22] 2009
► pp. 85–102
English in China
Convergence and divergence in policy and practice
This paper starts with an overview of the sociolinguistic context and a series of policy documents concerning English language education promulgated recently in China. It moves on to an analysis of disparities in English language education policies practised in different regions, differences between urban and rural areas, between social classes and between linguistic minority and majority groups. The juxtaposition aims to reveal what different regions and social and ethnic groups in China have in common and how divergent they can be in terms of local policies and practices in English language provision. Also discussed in the paper are issues such as tensions between the spread of English and Chinese language education, and between mother tongue, Chinese and English language education in the case of minority groups, inequality in education and other linguistic, political and cultural dimensions.
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