How Useful Is the New English Proficiency Scale

China’s first official English proficiency scale will be put into use on June 1, according to the Ministry of Education. As the fi rst comprehensive scaling system, it is expected to help integrate various English tests currently governed by different stan- dards and strengthen the interconnection between exams in China and those overseas. The scale is divided into nine levels based on proficiency, covering the period from elementary school to university. Levels 1 and 2 are for elementary students, level 3 for junior high school students, level 4 for high school students, levels 5 and 6 for university students studying non-English majors, level 7 for university students majoring in English, and levels 8 and 9 for those approaching fl u- ency in the English language.

While defining levels of competency in listening, speaking, reading and writing, the scale also includes practical competence, such as translation and interpretation, which aims to foster students’ real-world language capacity, cultural awareness and communi- cation skills.

The scale is not an exam syllabus, but a unified standard to gauge English learners’ profi ciency in the language and a reference for English teaching, learning and testing in China.

Guide for learners

Hu Min (People’s Daily) In an increasingly globalized world, foreign language ability has become a required skill in the 21st century. Many countries have unified language as- sessment standards. In Europe, although the languages of different countries may vary, the assessment standards are the same. Japan and South Korea also have their own national English profi ciency scaling systems.

As we all know, China’s English education has long been hampered by an exam-orient- ed attitude. As teachers and students pursue results in exams, English classes tend to only focus on vocabulary, grammar and sentence patterns. However, even if they achieve good results in English exams, most students fi nd it diffi cult to use English in daily life. The root cause is that China’s English education ne- glects the essence of language learning— the ability to apply knowledge in practice. The new English proficiency scale will change the obsession with examinations.

By dividing English profi ciency into different levels and describing each level in detail, the scale will serve as a clear indicator for English language learners. It provides various op- tions for learners to apply their knowledge in practice, meaning that English learners can develop comprehensive English skills based on the requirements of the scale or conduct modular learning based on future career development needs. The ultimate goal is to move English education away from exam-oriented methods and toward the ap- plication of the language.

Meanwhile, in response to outstanding problems in current foreign language teach- ing and exams, such as the lack of unified standards, a fragmented examination system, inconsistent proficiency standards, irregular language education in primary and secondary schools, and insuffi cient international recogni- tion of China’s foreign language tests, China aims to use the new scale to establish a foreign language proficiency standard with Chinese characteristics.

In the future, competition among nations will primarily be based on talent. The release of the English profi ciency scale is a top-down de- sign for China’s English education and refl ects the target of developing competitive talent for the future. China’s rising international status will require more Chinese to work and compete on the international stage.

No more tests

Xu Jianhua (China Quality Daily) It is no exaggeration to say that learning English ac- counts for a large part of the lives of Chinese students, and sometimes it is English profi - ciency that foils their ambitions for further studies or career. Some students are unable to get diplomas because they fail the College English Test (CET)-4 or similar exams. Currently, there exist striking problems in China’s English language teaching and examination system There is no consistent standard for English education and exami- nations across society and China’s foreign language examination certificates are not well recognized abroad. The new scale means to improve English examinations and make the results more valid in other countries.

Granted, this is the first scaling system of its kind in China, but whether or not it can truly reflect the demands of real life still needs to be tested by the market. It is also important not to make a new “indus- try” out of the scale or to connect it to the recruitment of students by middle schools and colleges, lest students be subject to a new set of burdens connected to learning