English Language Teaching in China: Regional Differences and Contributing Factors

In response to an escalating demand for English proficiency brought about by the rapid economic, social, and cultural development in China, there has been a massive drive to expand and improve English language teaching (ELT) since the mid1980s. Tremendous efforts and resources have been expended on upgrading the various components of ELT, including curriculums, syllabuses, textbooks, tests, and teachersʹ professional competence. However, not all parts of China have benefited equally from the invested efforts and resources. The economically and socioculturally developed regions differ notably from the less developed ones in the development of ELT. This paper examines regional differences in ELT in China. First, it reports on a study of 439 post-secondary Chinese students, which found clear region-based differences in their English proficiency, previous learning experiences, classroom behaviours, and language learning and use strategies. Next, it explores how a range of economic, social, cultural and pedagogical factors have jointly created such differences. The paper concludes with a critique of some recent top-down efforts directed at reducing regional disparity in ELT.