Contribution to Book
A critical analysis of English language teaching in today’s market economy in China
Critical ELT Practices in Asia
(2012)
Abstract
Since its open-door policy in 1978, China began a transfonnation fi·om planned
economy to market economy, for which English became an essential requirement.
TI1e Chinese govemrnent sees promoting English language leaming as paramount
in the nation's attempt to become competitive in the global market (Cai, 2006).
Such an emphasis on English resulted in various English language cmricular
refonns, which were strongly influenced by the forces of economic globalization,
as the nation attempted to shape its educational systems to provide the necessruy
skills for a growing global economy. However, we ru·gue that the increasing
dominru1ce of English language is contributing to neocolonialism through
linguicism by empowering the already powe1ful and leaving the disadvrultaged
fmther behind, an issue that needs much attention (Beckett & McPherson, 2005).
We urge policy-makers, researchers ru1d educators to que!.tion the gatekeeper role
of English in education, employment, promotion, social !.tatus, ru1d fmru1cial
security in China. In pedagogy, we call for a paradigm shift fi·om doing TESOL to
doing TEGCOM (Teaching English to Glocalized Communication) which allows
for interaction between global ru1d local forces in specific socio-cultural contexts.
Consequently, local actors can claim their ownership of English and exercise their
agency in their different creative practices.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2012
Editor
K. Sung and R. Pederson
Publisher
Sense Publishers
Publisher Statement
Copyright Sense Publishers 2012
Citation Information
Yan Guo and Gulbahar Beckett. "A critical analysis of English language teaching in today’s market economy in China" RotterdamCritical ELT Practices in Asia (2012) p. 55 - 70 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gulbahar-beckett/6/