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Q: English language course - language of instruction: Chinese. Your thoughts
What do you guys think about the whole idea of teaching an English language course, for example, economics or business in Chinese? I know that it is a common practice here in China but sometimes wonder about how effective it is. I mean to me, it simply begs the question of whether teachers/students needing to use Chinese to deliver the course implies the fact that neither of them boast the level of language proficiency needed to teach/learn the course in its intended language.
8 years 28 weeks ago in Teaching & Learning - China
I'd say it largely depends on the proficiency of the instructor. If his or her language skills are poor, teaching in English will do more harm than good. If the students don't speak enough English, they should take a year of Academic ESL classes to better prepare them. But if the course materials are all in English it certainly seems that the course should be taught in English.
kasuka91:
Yep, the course materials are all in English and the examinations will be conducted in English. It seems to be a common practice among various international schools and some colleges here in China. I've always found it to be strange. Can definitely understand teaching, for example, an ESL course to complete beginners in their mother tongue rather than in English, but yh, an A-Level economics course...really?! Feels like it's giving the students too much of a crutch to stand on.
Surely for an economics or business course to be taught in Chinese the theories and textbooks on which it is based will be written in Chinese or translated into Chinese?
I don't see what the issue is. Do you think economics or business studies should only be taught in English? How do you think anyone other non-English speaking countries teach these subjects? They aren't language specific you know.
Shining_brow:
A-levels dude... its for going to the UK, and as mentioned, the exams will be A-levels exams, so all in English. The students need to be able to understand and answer the questions in English. It's what goes on at the place I was at.
Otherwise - yes, I agree (well... depends on what the final objective is.)
Hotwater:
Well if the OP had mentioned this in his original, poorly written, question I would have commented differently! 
What are you trying to say? It sounds like there is an agenda in your question.
Are/have you opened a business english training centre?
I'd say it largely depends on the proficiency of the instructor. If his or her language skills are poor, teaching in English will do more harm than good. If the students don't speak enough English, they should take a year of Academic ESL classes to better prepare them. But if the course materials are all in English it certainly seems that the course should be taught in English.
kasuka91:
Yep, the course materials are all in English and the examinations will be conducted in English. It seems to be a common practice among various international schools and some colleges here in China. I've always found it to be strange. Can definitely understand teaching, for example, an ESL course to complete beginners in their mother tongue rather than in English, but yh, an A-Level economics course...really?! Feels like it's giving the students too much of a crutch to stand on.
It has never been my opinion that students with little to no esl skills should be taught in English. They should learn the fundamentals of the language until they have the basic building blocks to make a class in English worth their time. My first year of Spanish was taught in English--I was fluent in 2-3 years. Of course, in my country, learning is respected....
morget:
I agree. But, the English schools in China thrive on white faces, many of which cannot instruct classes in Chinese.
Shining_brow:
Contrary to that, when I did Russian & Spanish at university, we had some teachers who were all immersive, and some who mixed and matched as needed (funny with one native Russian teacher who didn't have great English, getting completely flustered when the class was discussing stuff in English - usually grammar, but sometimes jokes).
It will depend on your class, I think... Older students often need grammar explained - younger kids don't care - just copy.
I'd say there's a time and place for both.
RachelDiD:
Shining Brow---I did Italian by immersion in university. It had it's advantages, but the process heavily depended on the teacher. Thank goodness, my school recruited those on criteria other than 'looks Italian' and 'can create funny games for students!'
M--which is why bilingual Chinese teachers have their place.
Given that it's for A-levels - yeah, it should all be in English. However, I'd also suggest they have a Chinese version of the book, and their tutors can help out with explanations.
Where I was, our econ teacher was American... he said he sometimes used his (not great) Chinese ... but usually couldn't.
We also had other teachers from other countries... but mostly Chinese.
I'd say - partly the teachers' English, but also the ability to get complex concepts across to students who don't have great English.
Chinese education system strips away the ability to think and encourages not thinking. This is complemented by cellphones and cellphone APPs, family and everything in their lives.
I tell them they should learn how to explain words and terms using English but that requires thinking. When I am explaining a word many would just ignore me and look it up in their translators and when they get the wrong definition they blurt out the definition and I politely tell them no that's not it and if they were listening they would have heard the correct definition. And they repeat the same mistake over and over again.
Chinese are programmed and encouraged to be lazy. Teaching the class in Chinese makes it easier for the teacher and students. The students don't learn as much and they can't effectively use the language but they have an easy time.
