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English mania
According to the inserted videos shown in Walker’s presentation it seems real that English has become a kind of obsession for the Chinese and we can call it a mania without a doubt if the system finally manages to fanatise its citizens. People have to learn English, if they „want to change their lives”, if they „don’t want to let their parents down”, if they „don’t ever want to let their country down.” and if they „don’t want to let themselves down”. Who speaks English most definitely has found the Holy Grail, and finds happiness, respect, prosperity, eternal youth and the honor that they can serve their country.
On the other hand comparing learning English to a mania seems a bit misleading since Chinese students don’t choose learning English on their own will but because they are rather obliged to do so in order to succeed the National College Entrance Examination test and get into university.
To raise an English speaker nation seems an essencial factor for China to win the race over the other super powers.
Speaking a second language can’t wash away other languages, but if it’s turning into a mania I think it can be harmful and can slowly erase cultures. For example more and more nurserys and playschools offer an „only English” environment for children which means that the folklore completely vanishes from the curriculum: traditional songs, circle games, dances, tales, celebrations are never learned and lived by these children. Instead they get familiar with Anglo-Saxon culture. Italian children too sing English originated songs translated in Italian (Old McDonald, Five littel monkeys jumping on the bed, Hickory Dickory Dock etc…) Since I’m in Italy I would really like to hear some beautiful, traditioanl children songs and melodies but it seems they’ve been washed away.
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6 Replies
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@altedua , you definitely have an advanced English level – your writing is very strong; rich vocabulary and solid structures and you don’t seem to have any major issues with grammar. What a pleasure to read. 👏
Here’s some feedback for you:
> to fanatise (wrong word) its citizens – to radicalise
> Who speaks English most definitely... to sound more natural: WHOEVER speaks English most definitely … (WHOEVER pronoun: the person or people who and used for emphasis instead of ‘who’ in questions)
> …since Chinese students don’t choose learning❌ English WILLINGLY but RATHER because they are obliged to do so
⚠️ Can you try to correct the point above with the ❌?
> To raise an English speaker nation seems an essencial factor for China to win the race over the other super powers. > To raise an English SPEAKING nation seems an essenTial factor for China to win the race AGAINST the other super powers.
Let me know if you need clarification on anything 👍
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Oh! I think I got it!
The correction I have to make is learning IN English….
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Thank you Kerin! 🙂 To be honest I spend quite a lot of time reading my sentences over and over again before I post them… Sometimes I have to check basic words up in the dictionary how to write them. For example the third singular form of “say” is always giving me a headache. 😀
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That’s good, it just means you are conscientious!
To be completely honest with you, I have to constantly check the spelling of words too, obviously in Italian, but also in English! I put it down to the fact that I’m getting older and I don’t have the same bandwidth I used to have…. I have two “living languages” in my brain so I get confused! In your case, you have at least 3!
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I think I confused you! You need to follow choose with an infinitive>
…since Chinese students don’t choose to learn English WILLINGLY 👍
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😮😅 goodness gracious me!
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