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Mandarin is spoken by roughly 1 billion people. Most Americans only speak English. Learning a second language, especially one spoken by that many people can onl

Mandarin is spoken by roughly 1 billion people. Most Americans only speak English. Learning a second language, especially one spoken by that many people can only be a good thing. That said, while I certainly feel that any efforts to get Americans to learn languages in addition to English are a good thing, I can't help but being suspicious of the agent and financial backer of the program that facilitates these teachers: the Chinese government. Put it this way, can you imagine the Chinese government being receptive if the US State Department offered to send over several hundred English-language teachers and pay part of their salaries?

alextp 16y ago
I think, however, that the Chinese government itself pays for americans to teach english in China.
- dublinclontarf 16y ago
  Not just Americans, anyone from a country whose mother tongue is English. And not just this, English or at least passign the English exams is a requirement for EVERY UIVERSITY DEGREE. I teach Tradtitional Chinese Medicine undergrads and postgrads, and they all need to pass the English tests to get their degree. Although the vast VAST majority can only speak a few words, something of a failure when you think that they study English in School for hours each day from middle school, all the way through Universty and only 1%(probably less) have any level of fluency. In my University of 20,000 students there are about 4-5 students whose English is good enough for me to have a conversation. Including the teachers, there is only one person in the Entire college who I would say has excellent English. So in short, take this with a pinch of salt, China does quantity, not quality.
MoreMoschops 16y ago
You mean like the US government funded Peace Corp, who do teach English in China? To quote one statement, "Currently 114 Volunteers are teaching English in more than 62 universities, including five medical colleges and four vocational colleges".

alextp 16y ago

I think, however, that the Chinese government itself pays for americans to teach english in China.

dublinclontarf 16y ago
Not just Americans, anyone from a country whose mother tongue is English. And not just this, English or at least passign the English exams is a requirement for EVERY UIVERSITY DEGREE. I teach Tradtitional Chinese Medicine undergrads and postgrads, and they all need to pass the English tests to get their degree. Although the vast VAST majority can only speak a few words, something of a failure when you think that they study English in School for hours each day from middle school, all the way through Universty and only 1%(probably less) have any level of fluency. In my University of 20,000 students there are about 4-5 students whose English is good enough for me to have a conversation. Including the teachers, there is only one person in the Entire college who I would say has excellent English. So in short, take this with a pinch of salt, China does quantity, not quality.

MoreMoschops 16y ago

You mean like the US government funded Peace Corp, who do teach English in China? To quote one statement, "Currently 114 Volunteers are teaching English in more than 62 universities, including five medical colleges and four vocational colleges".