The Importance of English in Primary School Education in China: Perception of Teachers in Post-Covid-19 Hybrid Classrooms

Noble Po Kan Lo, Bryan Ka ho To

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

In 2021, China’s ‘double reduction policy’ aimed to lessen students’ learning burden by reducing extracurricular work, affecting off-campus tutoring, including English language learning. China’s competitive academic environment led students to seek additional tutoring to improve their higher education prospects. Recent reforms, such as Shanghai’s ban on English proficiency exams and reduced in-classroom English instruction, have raised concerns amongst parents about their children’s future opportunities and global competitiveness. This paper highlights the emergent problems facing an embattled Chinese English education system. With public schools seeking to alleviate the student burden through coursework and testing reduction, the burdens placed upon EFL educators are evolving. This paper therefore explores this phenomenon, weighs the roles and approaches of these educators to EFL, and highlights opportunities for shifting the Chinese educational system towards an inclusive, student-centred approach that supports English language teachers within a new hybridised standard.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCritical Reflections on ICT and Education
Subtitle of host publicationSelected Papers from the HKAECT 2023 International Conference
EditorsAnna Wing Bo Tso, Wendy Wing Lam Chan, Steven Kwan Keung Ng, Tiffany Shurui Bai, Noble Po Kan Lo
PublisherSpringer Singapore
Pages231-253
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)978-981-99-7559-4
ISBN (Print)978-981-99-7558-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Dec 2023

Publication series

NameEducational Communications and Technology Yearbook
PublisherSpringer
ISSN (Print)2524-4078
ISSN (Electronic)2524-4086

Keywords

  • English language learning
  • Hybrid education system
  • Pedagogy
  • Primary school education
  • Student achievement

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